There’s something about a MATTHEW BOURNE ballet which will always leave you surprised and none more so than his imagining of the Tim Burton film EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. And I think imagination is the best way to sum up this beautiful, tender, quirky and quite frankly stunning production.
I don’t like to bandy the word genius around often but Sir Matthew is certainly that. If you’ve never done ballet before I have no hesitation in directing you to this show. You’ll laugh, cry and leave the Wales Millennium Centre, where the show is for the rest of this week, having witnessed something very special, and I hope converted enough to give ballet another try.
You don’t need to take my word for it. We grabbed some of the audience as they left the Donald Gordon theatre on opening night to get their take on Edward Scissorhands. Our competition Winner Ashley was also there with her sister October, in two of the best seats in the house I might add…..
If you’ve not seen the movie before, and you really don’t need to, think of the story as part Frankenstein, part Pinniochio.
Edwards (LIAM. MOWER) is a lonely young man who must make his way in small town America. His creator Father, an eccentric inventor who lives on a castle on a hill (don’t they all), dies before Edward is finished. This leaves the newly created Edward with only scissors for hands.
A kind woman invites him to live with her suburban family in Hope Springs, your typical 1950s/60s American town, with Edward trying to find his place in this strange new world.
Talking about the story, Matthew Bourne said…..
“I’ve always been attracted by ‘outsider’ stories in my work and Edward Scissorhands is the ultimate ‘outsider’ story. Its tale of how we treat people who we perceive as being ‘different’ in our communities has never been more timely.
It is simple and universal enough to be told through music and movement alone.”
But actually, this production is far from simple. With something like 25 of the most incredible performers, and a set and costume design by LEZ BROTHERSTON which is breathtakingly good, this seemingly simple tale pops right off the stage in a blast of colour and joy. I must also pay credit to the lighting, designed by HOWARD HARRISON and sound by PAUL GROOTHUIS.
What we get is a visually immersive world, inhabited by a weird and wonderful community. Throw in some very clever projection, which at times looks incredibly real, and a beautiful soundtrack, and you have something which is both a feast for the eyes and ears.
Although you don’t need to have seen the movie to enjoy this production, all the elements of Tim Burton’s original motion picture story are there, and beautifully retold.
I remember when I first saw the movie, some 33 years ago now, unbelievably, I couldn’t decide if it was horror, comedy, love story or fantasy, and the truth is, it’s all of those and so much more.
Once you dig deeper into the story you realise this is a tragic tale about a deeply misunderstood young man who finds himself in a world he simply wasn’t cut out for (no pun intended). As Matthew said, this tale has never been more timely. As awesome as the movie is, I felt the story has translated perfectly onto the stage, with an added dimension you simply can’t get on the big screen.
There is however a lot of the film here, with DANNY ELFMAN and TERRY DAVIES hauntingly atmospheric music setting the atmosphere of the piece. The score tells you everything you need to know about Edwards and his gentle, vulnerable soul.
Liam brings something special to Edward, capturing his child-like naivety and vulnerability, while being witty, charming and a real commanding figure on stage. The rest of the company give some outstanding performances too, in particular Edward’s love interest Kim (ASHLEY SHAW). NICOLA KABERA is about as Sex in the City a cougar as you’ll find anywhere as Joyce. And KERRY BIGGIN is the very motherly Peg Boggs.
The ensemble deliver some truly mesmerising routines, working around our main character who has restricted hand use, in fact the pas de deux between Edward and Kim is both graceful and powerful, and at times made me think -‘how the hell did they manage that‘. Dancing with scissors for for hands is a challenge in anyone’s books, be they fake or real.
I’ve deliberately not said too much about the set routines, I feel seeing them with little knowledge of what’s coming is a good thing. What I will say is that the stage is filled with incredible bursts of colour, topiary, ice and snow.
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS is a beautiful modern fairytale which powerfully deals with acceptance and prejudices felt by those who find themselves in another world. I hate using the word magical but this production really is. It’s powerful and vibrant and will leave you breathless from start to finish. I loved every moment of it and I think you will too – even if you’ve never given ballet a go before.
We were on our feet at the end of last night’s performance and I could sense a tear or two being shed among the sell out audience. If you’ve seen a previous Matthew Bourne production you know exactly what you’re going to get, and this show certainly delivers.
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS has been around since its premiere in 2005, it won’t be at the Wales millennium Centre for long, so I recommend you grab a ticket and catch it while you can. It’s here till Saturday 23rd March with performances at 7:30pm and a 2:30pm matinee on Thursday and Saturday. The Saturday early show is Audio Described and a Touch YTour. Tickets are available but they’re showing moderate availability, so for the good seats head HERE.
