On Tuesday we began the first of our two-part interviews with the two men who dance the dual roles of The Swan and The Stranger in Swan Lake. Will Bozier and Max Westwell discussed how the role is different when they each are on stage. In part two, Bozier and Westwell talk about their transformation from one role to the other and whether or not Swan Lake still has the ability to shock as we approach 2020.
During the 15-minute intermission you have to switch from being what is now a very sweaty swan into The Stranger. How would you describe your time making that transformation?
MW: It’s a complete reset. We come in and we’re completely sweaty and exhausted. You have to shower and change costumes and make-up. It’s almost like a completely different show. You get half a second to sit down and resent. It’s quite a short amount of time. I have to get into stranger mode. Getting the costume on changes your demeanor.
WB: I like to sit in the wing and have a little stretch and think about The Stranger and think about how he’d be. The music always helps me get in the mindset. I have a moment and think about him and how he would shock people to show the big difference between the two.
What toll do these parts take on your body and how much longer do you want to continue to dance at this level of intensity?
MW: It can be really hard on your back and lot of the movement is heavy on the quads because it is contemporary and down in the floor. The sheer level of cardio you have to do is hard to maintain your fitness. The day after I’m pretty tired until we do another one. I’m not sure [how much longer.] It depends what comes up. As I get older I learn more sports science and get better with food. I can keep going for another couple years.
WB: I’d like to say that I could do it forever, but the body doesn’t tell me that. I take it day by day. Hopefully I have a good ten years in me, but you never know. The good thing is there are so many aspects of dance you can explore after your career is over.
These roles were made famous by Adam Cooper when the ballet first premiered. He’s also credited as a Principal Coach for this production. What influence did he have on your when you were coming of age as a dancer?
MW: I was always very aware of Adam because his career path has been the same as mine – from a classical company to musicals and now New Adventures (Matthew Bourne’s company). I was massively inspired by him and his versatility. His input on this role was hugely interesting. He came in and gave original intentions. Aside from that, he can still do it.
WB: Massively. I saw it many years ago when I was a young boy. It was incredible to see all these men on stage and how powerful they can be. Especially Adam and his movement quality. Having him there and having him go through the movement and explaining how and why we should do it just upped our game massively.
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake originally debuted in 1995 and was considered shocking at the time. How has social perspective changed and how do you think Swan Lake is viewed now versus how it was back then?
MW: Interestingly I had a conversation with Matt about this. The audiences laugh at completely different places and a lot of what was shocking is not shocking anymore. There are still fundamental things that hit home which is what makes the production so good. The fact the animal is a man has provocative ideas behind it. It’s not the main point, but there is a connection between two men you are watching. Audiences are much more accepting of the concept and the idea.
WB: It has changed massively. Everyone is a lot more accepting of things and sex and everything like that. Back in the day it was shocking to see two men dancing in such quarters. It wasn’t done. Now they find it amazing. Two big strong men lifting each other and dancing and celebrating. I think Matt changed all that.
Tchaikovsky, the composer who wrote the music for this ballet, one said, “To regret the past, to hope in the future and never to be satisfied with the present; that is what I spend my whole life doing.” Does that sum up the life of a dancer and how much does this represent how you look at your own life?
MW: I try to adapt to the moments and the opportunities I have in front of me and stay positive and forward-thinking. I try to enjoy as much as I can. At the moment I’m really enjoying the show I’m in and being here and everything that’s happening.
WB: I totally agree with that. You can’t regret the past because it is the past. I’ve never heard that before. It’s amazing. We strive for perfection as performers. When [your performance] is under, it bums you out, but then you come in the next day and get into the studio and hope it doesn’t happen again.
Swan Lake continues at The Ahmanson Theatre through January 5th.
Main photo: Max Westwell and James Lovell in Swan Lake (Photo by Craig Schwartz/All photos courtesy of Center Theatre Group)