How do you tell a story without any words? For someone who’s never seen a ballet before, an open mind was needed for Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures company revival of the cult classic Tim Burton movie, Edward Scissorhands.
Last to grace the floorboards over nine years ago, the modern-day fairytale is back and is as stunning as it can be to float around the stage with potentially deadly weapons as hands. Unfathomable? Yes. Unnatural? Yes. Magical? Absolutely.
Featuring the iconic musical score by Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, the story follows the innocent, incomplete and (some may say) imperfect Edward, created by an eccentric inventor who both live away from civilization in a castle high on a hill.
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When his creator suddenly dies, Edward is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands. That is until a welcoming housewife, Peg Bogg, stumbles across him and invites him to live with her family in the white picket-fenced Hope Springs. Having to adapt to a strange new world full of weird and wonderful families who struggle to accept his curiously sharp appearance, Edward too struggles to find his place in an even curiouser society.
Immediately from his creation, the audience are taken in by the Frankenstein-esque laboratory and the heartbroken-father-turned-mad-professor. As Edward begins to get used to his new limbs and surroundings, you almost forget that he’s actually a person and not a doll. But more on Liam Mower later.
For those who have seen the 1990s film with the titular character played by Johnny Depp, they will know of the American Dream 1950s homes and seemingly perfect lives of those in Hope Springs. As each of the six families are introduced, with their own quirks, themes and relationships (and the introduction of same-sex parents), their effortless characterisation reels in the audience, with something different happening in each corner of the stage.
The set alone is something to be marvelled at and designer Lez Brotherston is a genius. From the effective use of lighting as night turns to day to the dancing topiary, it was truly a work of art. Paired with the hauntingly beautiful music, it created an immeasurable amount of awe.
And so to our Edward, played by the incomparable Liam Mower. His towering frame, doe-like eyes and seamless dancing was a match made in heaven. He was born to play this role, adding charm in his hopeful attempts to make friends by mimicking his neighbours behaviours, and pure love through his duets with crush, Kim Bogg, played by Katrina Lyndon.
In their final dance Lyndon was elegant yet magnetic, and it brought many a tear to the eye. The chemistry between them was infectious and reminiscent of those teenage years and those heartbreaking first loves.
Underneath the perfectly coiffed hair, manicured bushes and poetic sculpting of ice, this is a story of acceptance that is still so prevalent today. About how society alienates those who are different to us and how we should be more active in learning to accept others as they are.
Tonight’s performance was stunning, and I am a complete ballet convert. So to answer the first question - words are simply not needed.
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures - Edward Scissorhands is on at The Lowry from Tuesday 28 November to Saturday 2 December. Get your tickets here.
