AMP Announce Plans to Stage Edward Scissorhands

Adventures in Motion Pictures (AMP), the dance company renowned for its re-interpretations of stage classics, has announced a major departure for its next production - an adaptation of Tim Burton's film noir, Edward Scissorhands. The show - choreographed and directed by Matthew Bourne and designed by Lez Brotherston, both of whom have won Tony and Olivier awards for their previous AMP productions - is scheduled for a world premiere in London in March 2002.

AMP's latest production, The Car Man, an "auto-erotic thriller" based on George Bizet's famous opera, finished an extended four-month run at the West End's Old Vic last month. It will tour Europe this spring and summer before embarking on a North American tour this autumn. Engagements confirmed to date include Amsterdam, Lisbon, Israel, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Chicago and Boston as well as an eight-week return (for a third time) to Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre.

AMP shot to fame in 1995 with a legendary production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, featuring an ensemble of male swans. The show collected eight UK awards, including an Olivier for Best New Dance Production, and 20 US awards, including three Tonys. The company's subsequent production of Cinderella, based on Prokofieff's original score, won the 1998 Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for Brotherston's set and costume design.

Recently, AMP and co-founder/artistic director Bourne featured in the blockbuster film, Billy Elliot. It won't be the last time AMP will be seen on screen either. The company has also just announced an ongoing partnership with Channel 4, whereby their future work will be filmed, starting with a TV airing later this year for The Car Man.

While not a stage classic like AMP’s other productions, Edward Scissorhands does advance the company’s interest in Hollywood film noir which was a major inspiration for The Car Man. Film director Tim Burton’s 1990 fairy tale starred Johnny Depp as an artificial man with scissors for hands. Edward lives a solitary existence until he meets a sympathetic Avon lady and her love interest daughter, played by Winona Ryder, and develops a talent for hairdressing.

The stage adaptation of Edward Scissorhands will feature original music by Danny Elfman and will be produced by Katharine Dore for AMP. It is likely to be staged at the Old Vic, where the company will take up a full-time residency from next year.

- by Terri Paddock

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