Edward Scissorhands - A Cut Above

Sir Matthew Bourne’s ballet, based on Tim Burton’s film, has enchanted audiences across the world since it opened nearly 20 years ago. Presented by Bourne’s own New Adventures company, it perfectly captures the innocence of Edward as he navigates through the prejudices and fears of a small town that, while seemingly embracing diversity, can never fully accept true differences.

After his son's accidental death, an eccentric inventor works in an isolated old castle to create himself a replacement son. When the inventor dies, he leaves the boy, Edward, incomplete with scissors in place of his hands alone to navigate the world. A kindly townswoman from Hope Springs invites Edward, wandering alone and frightened, into a quiet suburban home. A community that, on the surface, tolerates everyone, with inter-racial and single-sex families mixing easily together but with prejudices bubbling under the surface. Edward tries hard to fit in, but will the community see past his curious appearance to understand the innocence and gentleness that lie within? A gothic tale with references to Frankenstein and Pinocchio, it holds a story that is current to today’s society, where, despite professing inclusivity, it barely hides intolerances for anyone that appears different.

Every night, a 25-member on-stage cast double-casts all roles, allowing individuals to rest and providing audiences with a fresh production each night. Stephen Murray, on this occasion, embodied the title character Edward with the compassion and gentleness of a freed child, displaying a wide-eyed wonder of the world beyond his castle walls, full of childlike naivety as he succumbs to manipulation for personal gain. Perfectly matched by Ashley Shaw as Kim Boggs, who, despite her initial rejection of him, ends up seeing the beauty and pure love that lie within Edward’s outer appearance.

Bourne is known for the originality of his choreography, dispelling some of classical ballet’s pretensions and allowing audiences to laugh out loud, which they did on numerous occasions. This does not take away from the enthralling story that he lays before us here, and I daresay mine wasn’t the only damp eye as the curtain fell. Using Danny Elfman's original film music with arrangements and Terry Davies' new music, the score is both melodic and humorous, with styles and themes relevant to the period. Lez Brotherston’s set and costume designs manage to capture the feel of downtown America in the 1950s, while the dream sequences are conceived with wit.

It is almost impossible to pick out single set pieces as they all work so wonderfully together, but I particularly enjoyed two scenes. The Topiary Garden dream sequence, where Edward has real hands and he and Kim imagine how life would be different if he were not encumbered with scissors, and the Ice Dance, where Kim dances in the snow created by Edward’s frenetic sculpting of an ice angel,.

If you are a ballet or dance fan who has ever wondered about Bourne’s productions, I urge you to see this show. It will open your eyes to the amazing talent that he possesses, both in himself and in New Adventures. I left the theatre feeling uplifted and refreshed, seeing the world through new eyes and with the knowledge that whenever I see a snow shower, I will reflect on what beauty is possible in diversity.



Edward Scissorhands Bradford Alhambra
Saturday, April 13th Audio Described Performance: Saturday 13th April (Matinee)
Touch Tour: Saturday 13th April (Matinee)

Then tour the UK, including:

Hull New Theatre, 23rd to 27th April
Audio Described Performance: Saturday 27th April (Matinee)Touch Tour: Saturday 27th April (Matinee)

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
14 – 18 May Audio Described Performance: Saturday 18th May (Matinee) Touch Tour: Saturday 18th May (Matinee)