The Car Man
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Matthew Bourne takes Carmen and relocates it to a Midwestern American garage in the 1950s, where an outsider's appearance unleashes betrayal, desire, and revenge among the townspeople trapped there. It's Bourne's signature approach: place a classical score in a new setting and let the story reshape itself. Here, opera's grand passion becomes the claustrophobia of a diner and a garage. The music (Terry Davies working with Shchedrin's Carmen Suite) stays urgent, but the intimacy of the space changes everything.
If you've seen his choreography before, you know the intensity level: movement that serves the narrative, a venue (Sadler's Wells, home to his company New Adventures) that frames it precisely, no softening anywhere. This is an evening you feel in your body; not uplifting, but sustained and uncomfortable in a way that matters. It suits people looking for dance that doesn't decorate or comfort, just tells the truth about human chaos.
Venue
Sadler's Wells Theatre EC1R 4TNGetting there
Sadler's Wells TheatreEC1R 4TN
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Frequently asked questions
When is The Car Man?
Tonight
Where is The Car Man?
Sadler's Wells Theatre, London (EC1R 4TN).
How much are tickets for The Car Man?
The Car Man is listed at £15. The price shows on the listing above.
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