The last time Edward Scissorhands toured, it was the show that made me fall in love with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company. And on almost exactly the same date nine years later, Bourne’s dance version of Tim Burton’s 1990 film is back at Wales Millennium Centre.
Bourne’s shows invariably feature some element of gothic, fantasy and the cinematic, so who better a director to adapt than Burton? You might think the idea of this particular film repurposed as a musical ballet odd, but the film was originally conceived by Burton as a musical. As in the movie, when the boy with scissors for hands’ creator/father dies, our title character ventures out into the world, to be semi-adopted by the Boggs family.
Bourne’s interpretation of Edward Scissorhands is very playful, almost tongue-in-cheek, which accentuates its bittersweet elements. Similar to the film, there’s no clear era setting for the ballet: it’s a 1950s version of the 80s, where all American families live behind picket fences, but have boomboxes and Game Boys. A family with gay dads has been added into this production; this world Edward wanders into, a miniature suburban neighbourhood in mid-century costuming, has been beautifully created by Lez Brotherston.
Liam Mower is perfection as Edward, heartbreakingly innocent, his facial expressions transmitting the character’s childlike confusion: a portrayal which makes some of the neighbourhood kids’ treatment of him hurt all the more. His comedy dance moves – notably the waterbed scene – are also lovely to watch; his drunken Edward Scissorhands at times brings to mind Pee-wee Herman (thereby providing another Tim Burton connection). On the serious side, his dance duets with Ashley Shaw (a New Adventures mainstay since 2010) are beautiful to watch, while Nicole Kabera is gorgeously inappropriate as the neighbourhood temptress and one of many standouts in the ensemble. As with any given Matthew Bourne ensemble, there’s always something going on, something fun to look at, wherever your eyes alight onstage.
Edward Scissorhands isn’t necessarily my favourite Matthew Bourne show (although ranking them would be difficult), but it is quintessential Bourne. There’s something special about it that requires repeat viewing, or even the first time if you haven’t seen it before.
Edward Scissorhands, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 19 Mar
On until Sat 23 Mar. Tickets: £18-£79. Info: here
words CHRIS WILLIAMS
