Lez Brotherston

Lez Brotherston and Matthew Bourne Lez Brotherston’s most well – known collaboration with Matthew Bourne was ‘Swan Lake’ which explored a modern twist on the timeless ballet. Since swan lake they have collaborated on projects such as ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands’. They have now been in collaboration for over 16 years. Lez Brotherston on working with Matthew Bourne ‘ Dance pieces are very different [to theatre], because ultimately there is no script, so as a designer you're absolutely involved in the decision-making process about what a project is going to be, rather than just responding to a script.’

Costume for dance ‘Because we wanted the male dancers to bring out the swans' aggressive masculine side, it seemed stupid to cover them up, so we left their feet and torsos bare, to show their muscle movement. We thought of shorts for the lower half but then Matthew found a picture of an Indian dancer in baggy fringed trousers and he liked the motion of the fabric. So I took it away and came up with the idea of yards of shredded chiffon in the same style.’ – Lez Brotherston on working with costume for Ballet

Edward Scissorhands – Sadler’s Wells I booked tickets to see Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands at Sadler’s Wells after I had seen adverts commenting on how good the production was. I was really impressed especially by the characters that Bourne and Brotherston created through the use of costume and movement. I really loved a particular scene where Edward’s topiary creations came to life to perform a dance with Edward and Kim; it was really beautiful and conveyed the magical and romanticised elements of the story.

Costumes from the Edward scissorhands programme, I find it interesting how Brotherston draws each character in the same pose, however each character seems to have a different personality due to other features such as weight, costume, props and hair and make-up. The actual production costumes were so true to these sketches, which I think makes the designs successful.

Set Designs Lez Brotherston not only designs character costumes, he also designs the sets for many productions such as this one depicting the colourful suburban town in Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands.

Sleeping Beauty Set Model A New Adventures production

The Nutcracker Set Model Scottish Ballet

'Period costumes have to move with the body, but dancers like tight-fitting costumes. However, a jacket that fits too snugly will rise with the arms and stay up. The battle is to get the dancers to accept looser fittings that move up and down the body’ – Lez Brotherston - conversation/ conversation/ Costume and Movement

Performers dancing in what Brotherston calls ‘real clothes’ - Cinderella