Sir Matthew Bourne, the multi-award-winning choreographer and director, has been given the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in contemporary dance during a stellar career spanning over 40 years.
Matthew Bourne was nominated by the Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC, and the Honorary Secondary of London at the Central Criminal Court, Fiona Adler.
The ceremony awarding Matthew Bourne was held last week, on 5 June 2025, at the Guildhall in London, attended by his family members, friends, and colleagues.
Matthew Bourne’s current productions include Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre in London; and touring productions of Swan Lake, The Midnight Bell, The Red Shoes, and Mary Poppins.
Bourne was a professional dancer for 14 years, and leads the New Adventures dance company. His award-winning work includes Swan Lake, The Car Man, Cinderella, Play Without Words, Edward Scissorhands, Dorian Gray, and The Red Shoes.
Matthew Bourne receives the Freedom of the City of London. Photo via PR
In the West End and on Broadway, Sir Matthew’s 30-year relationship with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who received the Freedom in 2023, has resulted in the globally successful musicals, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, and Oliver!
Recent work also includes directing Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, which is now playing on Broadway.
Sir Matthew has won nine Olivier Awards, two Tony Awards, for Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical, and a Drama Desk Award. Other prestigious awards include six Los Angeles Drama Critic Awards, The Evening Standard Award, and the Astaire Award for Dance on Broadway.
In recognition of ‘Services to Dance’, Sir Matthew was awarded an OBE in 2001 and knighted in the 2016 Queen’s New Year Honours.
Speaking after his Freedom ceremony, Sir Matthew Bourne said in a statement: “As a born Londoner, I am particularly thrilled to be receiving the Freedom today. As the proud son of two children of the Blitz, who lived just streets away from each other in Walthamstow E17, I have made London my home for my entire life. It has been my playground, my workplace, and the inspiration for many of the works that I have made throughout my career, including Cinderella, Oliver!, Mary Poppins, and even Swan Lake! I am deeply honoured and grateful, and would like to thank Mark Lucraft and Fiona Adler for kindly nominating me for the Freedom.”
Deputy Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, James Thomson, said: “As well as a major exporter of British dance to the rest of the world, Matthew is also the bringer of much joy, with the ability to leave people walking on air as they file out of the theatre. He is at the top of his game and is a very worthy recipient of the Freedom of the City of London, and I offer Matthew my warmest congratulations today, which will be echoed by his many millions of admirers.”
Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC, said: “Matthew’s consummate skill for reimagining storytelling through dance is evident, not just by how audiences are mesmerised, exhilarated, and moved by his productions, featuring troupes of supremely gifted dancers, but also by his hugely impressive collection of national and international awards. Fiona Adler and I have been delighted to support Matthew’s Freedom, in recognition of his hard work, dedication to his craft, and remarkable achievements on stage and screen.”
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
Other high-profile West End stars and creatives to have received the Freedom of the City of London include actor Giles Terera, theatre owners and producers Rosemary Squire and Howard Panter, and West End and Broadway impresario Cameron Mackintosh.
Book Matthew Bourne Shows
Book Oliver! tickets at the Gielgud Theatre London
Book Mary Poppins tickets – Tour
Book Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell tickets at Sadler’s Wells in London and on tour
Book Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes tickets at Sadler’s Wells in London and on tour
Book Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake tickets – Tour
Oliver!
Gielgud Theatre, London
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📷 Main photo: Sir Matthew Bourne gets Freedom of the City of London. Photo via PR
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