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Review- Edward Scissorhands

November 19, 2008

Date Reviewed: 19th November, 2008
Venue: The Lowry

star

I first saw Matthew Bourne’s adaptation of Edward Scissorhands in 2006 and recall an excellent production. This time around, the mesmerising quality of the piece has not diminished; in fact it’s better than ever!

Adapted from the wonderful Tim Burton film version, starring Johnny Depp, Bourne’s vision is similar but also different enough to offer audiences much more than a movie re-tread. The character of Edward is scared and alone, with scissors for hands, following his father/inventor’s death. This fragile creature is then discovered by local townsfolk.

Enter residents of picket fence America, with pearly-white teeth, crisp green lawns and immaculate hair; a complete contrast to Edward’s dark and empty world. But, through Bourne’s tremendous choreography, we learn that the word ‘empty’ can be applied to this Suburban community.

The lonely outsider soon becomes popular and falls in love with cheerleader, Kim Boggs. But this popularity comes at a price, as some locals start to become jealous of the new boy in town.

There are so many dream-like sequences within Bourne’s visionary, day-glo verses gothic world, that mere adjectives can never really do them any justice. But one standout moment features Edward using his scissors for good, rather than bad, as he transforms not only the residents’ hair-dos, but also the greenery. Second later, these clipped boundaries come to life, dancing across the stage and the effect is magical.

Dominic North imbues Edward with vulneribility, wide-eyed innoncence, but also new found machismo as he works wonders on the local community. The denouement is even more heartbreaking, as a result of his excellent, heartfelt performance. Likewise Noi Tolmer gives Kim real light and shade as she is torn between her past and present lovers.

The ice sculpture scene has always been moving and second time round it loses none of its poignant qualities on this tour. As the snow falls around the auditrorium, these characters become real and take you back to your childhood in an instant.

As ever, Bourne had gathered a brilliant troupe of dancers who manage the difficult feat of making their characters individual, within group dances. Look at their facial expressions and listen to their breathing patterns and you will be astounded at how fully rounded these characters become, thanks to their silent movie style acting.

Lez Brotherston’s stunning set is like a box of delights, as there is so much attention to detail, it becmes a movie in itself. Add Danny Elfman’s iconic score, reworked here with heaps of respect by Terry Davies and this is an absolute, must-see fairy tale for Bourne and Burton fans alike.

-Glenn Meads

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