Edward Scissorhands – Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Devisor, Director and Choreographer: Matthew Bourne

Music and Arrangements: Danny Elfman and Terry Davies

Writer: Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson

Adaptation: Caroline Thompson

Matthew Bourne’s contemporary ballet of Tim Burton’s much-loved movie Edward Scissorhands has been set very firmly in the 1950’s in this beautiful and breath-taking version.

The storyline follows many of the main plot themes of the 1990 film but it is by no means slavish to the original source material. Bourne has, for example, extended the prologue giving us more depth to the back-story of Edward. The work opens on a superbly atmospheric and arresting vision of a Frankenstein-like Gothic horror where Edward is created, but it goes on to tell the same tale of the eccentric inventor whose son has been fatally electrocuted during a lightning storm and who creates a replacement; a boy with scissors for hands. When Edward is left alone after his father is killed by local thugs, he ventures into town where he has to fight small-town prejudice and find his place in a superficial world.

This modern fairy tale speaks powerfully of how we treat those who are different from ourselves and how quickly tolerance and acceptance dry up and old prejudices return to the surface at the first hint of trouble.

In a superb central performance, Stephen Murray magnificently registers Edward’s heart-breaking vulnerability as well as maintaining an arresting and charismatic presence throughout. There are performances of the highest order everywhere you look too, indeed the whole production is awash with exquisite tiny detail that absolutely delights: the dancing topiary, the snow, the ice-sculpture and Edward’s nimble-fingered hairdressing skills to name a few.

Lez Brotherston’s sumptuous set design has been heavily influenced by classic 50s movies and provides the perfect backdrop to the choreography. It is a Doris Day, pastel-hued, American idyll coupled with Tim Burton’s signature dark Gothic aesthetic.

The movement sequences keep interest levels high throughout. There’s a pleasing mix of original and inventive styles, tinged with classic 50s dance movie motifs. All executed to perfection by this supremely drilled cast.

The soaring score by Danny Elfman and Terry Davies drives the action throughout and never fails to tug at the heartstrings in the emotional moments.

The packed crowd were on their feet at the end, sniffling back tears and cheering their appreciation. With curtain call after curtain call, there’s absolutely no doubt Matthew Bourne and his company know how to give an audience exactly what it wants.

The word magical is liberally bandied about, but this beautifully executed, beguiling and touching tale deserves to be labelled so. Vivid, vibrant and utterly spellbinding to the last, this hard to fault production remains a triumph for New Adventures.

Runs until 18 May 2024 | Image: Johan Persson