The Theatre Royal hosts this new production of the ballet Edward Scissorhands...
If Matthew Bourne is the man who dragged ballet, kicking and pirouetting, into the twenty-first century, this is his apotheosis. Edward Scissorhands the Ballet is a triumph of dance, music, sets, props and showmanship.
If you’ve seen the movie, you know the story. A tragi-comic fairytale for outsiders, weirdos, nonconformists and anyone with blades on their fingers. (No, not you, Freddy Krueger). It satirises the heterogeneity of smalltown America, where everyone fits in and nobody sticks out. Until a Frankenstein-like creation stumbles into their ordered little world of identikit houses, clothing, lifestyle and morality.
Where to start? The costumes were awesome. One scene in particular stands out. As we all remember from the much-beloved movie, Mr Scissorhands is ace at snipping garden greenery into animal shapes. In the ballet, these figures cut from foliage come to life and dance around Edward. Yes, they are really the dancers dressed up as incredibly convincing privet bushes. How on earth do they see, let alone dance?
This was a large company out on the floorboards. But every ballerino and ballerina played an individual character. No anonymous cygnets or courtiers here. Personality was conveyed not only by costume but by style of movement and expression. Acting as much as dancing, you might say. Indeed, the storytelling never slowed down, despite that story being told in dance rather than words. Again, there was a great deal of humour in the production. Yet always communicated without a single joke being spoken.
What the Health and Safety assessment was for dancing with knives, even if they are fake, we can but guess
On the Theatre Royal’s debut night, Edward was played by Liam Mower. Dancing is tough work, you see, so roles can vary from performance to performance. Mr Mower was excellent in his role, and the audience was instantly smitten.
Danny Elfman’s famous score is rejigged from the movie and really tugs on the heartstrings. At times icily spiritual and at others underscoring the farce of the suburbs.
What the Health and Safety assessment was for dancing with knives, even if they are fake, we can but guess. But the scissor hands were perfectly believable, if not a tad scary.
So, snappy choreography, snazzy outfits, topiary and ice sculptures, laughter and tears, this ballet has it all in spades. And (spoiler alert) at the very end the audience is treated to snow!
The cast received a standing ovation. Highly recommended for fans of Tim Burton and ballet-lovers everywhere, from the burbs to the creepy castle.
Edward Scissorhands plays at the Theatre Royal from Tuesday Feb 27th until Saturday Mar 2nd 2024.
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