Sir Matthew Bourne awarded Freedom of the City of London
One of Britain’s most celebrated choreographers, Sir Matthew Bourne, has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London, recognising over four decades of creative achievement in contemporary dance and musical theatre.
Sir Matthew was presented with the honour at Guildhall, surrounded by family, friends, and long-time collaborators. As the man behind reimagined productions like Swan Lake, Edward Scissorhands, and Cinderella, his work has become a fixture on London stages and far beyond.
The nomination came from two senior legal figures, the Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC, and Fiona Adler, the Honorary Secondary of London, highlighting not just Bourne’s cultural impact, but his deep connection to the city he calls home.
Born and raised in Walthamstow, Sir Matthew reflected on what the moment meant to him:
“London has been everything to me, where I’ve lived, worked, and found inspiration. From Blitz-era roots to the West End, this city runs through my story and my work.”
He’s not exaggerating. With more than 40 years in dance, Bourne has led two trailblazing companies, Adventures in Motion Pictures and its successor, New Adventures, while also bringing his distinct style to large-scale musicals including Mary Poppins and Oliver! in collaboration with Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
His trophy cabinet is a story of its own: nine Olivier Awards, two Tonys, and accolades from both sides of the Atlantic, including the Evening Standard Award, the Astaire Award, and six Los Angeles Drama Critic Awards. He was made an OBE in 2001 and knighted in the Queen’s 2016 New Year Honours for services to dance.
Speaking on behalf of the City of London Corporation, Deputy Policy Chairman James Thomson called Bourne
“a major exporter of British dance to the world,”
and praised his ability to lift audiences through powerful storytelling.
The Recorder of London, Judge Lucraft, added that Bourne’s capacity to move audiences “with troupes of supremely gifted dancers” was one of many reasons he and Fiona Adler put his name forward.
The Freedom of the City of London is one of the Square Mile’s oldest traditions, dating back to 1237. While no longer conferring literal privileges, it remains a formal way of recognising outstanding contributions to public life and London’s identity.
Sir Matthew Bourne joins recent recipients such as Sir Lenny Henry, Simon Armitage, and Lady Mary Peters – a fitting honour for someone who’s spent his life helping to reimagine British theatre for modern audiences.
For more updates on cultural achievements in the Square Mile, visit EyeOnLondon City. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
