EDWARD SCISSORHANDS | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tues 10 March
From the mind of Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands has a new revival courtesy of Matthew Bourne. Following on from his first adaptation in 2005, his latest production is touring the country and is playing at Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday.
New adventures (Matthew’s dance company) have created unforgettable shows; Swan Lake, Nutcracker, The Car Man amongst them, but what will his new version of Edward bring: a modernising of a gothic fairy tale?
This touching and funny gothic fairytale tells the story of a boy created by a lonely inventor who dies suddenly – leaving the boy alone and unfinished. Left with scissors for hands, Edward tries to find his place in a strange new suburban world – where the well-meaning mid-1950’s American community struggle to see past his strange appearance.
This production is bigger than its last incarnation, and the stage setting more prominent. The opening scene in the castle sets the mood; dreamlike and gothic in an enveloping blue hue the creation of Edward is made and his search for acceptance and love begins.
The score by renowned and legendary film composer Danny Elfman (who has created music for a host of A list big budget films) works completely in parallel with Bourne’s direction. The score for Edward is reminiscent of big Hollywood musicals –such as An American In Paris and Singin In The Rain – each set piece is huge, the horn section belting out and blending with Bourne’s choreography seamless.
The scene where the hilariously slutty Joyce Monroe (the town tart) tries to seduce Edward is on a par with the classic routine with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse in Singin In the Rain. Matthews Bourne emulates this style and brings it up to date with a synergy in the music and dance, telling a story to the audience. At no time is the viewer left wondering what is going on, the expression and movement lay it out perfectly, in the same way classic films such as West Side Story and Anchors Aweigh did in the 50’s and 60’s. Edward Scissorhands’s suburbia in 50’s America has the same tone and feel, showing perfect examples of dance communicating a tale.
The cast each have a strong character and they deliver with every move, the Boggs’ Barbeque is an exhausting, nonstop visual barrage in pastel hues. The scene was beautifully played out like a retro ice cream parlour set in Back To The Future. Edward is touching and sweet and vulnerable and you are rooting for him throughout, and yes there are tears.
I’m a big fan of Bourne, and his obvious love of film and nostalgia and big budget productions shines through his work, he creates art and a vision which very few possess. I can’t wait to see what he does next. Stunning.
words ANTONIA LEVAY
Edward Scissorhands, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, until Sat 14 Mar. Tickets: £17 – £35 / £42 premium packages. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk