Edward Scissorhands - Lowry Theatre & Tour

Edward Scissorhands based on the film by Tim Burton
Director/Choreographer: Matthew Bourne
Music: Danny Elfman & Terry Davies
Reviewer: Stephanie Rowe

Matthew Bourne and his company New Adventures, have once again proved they are the best in dance theatre and with Edward Scissorhands this is no exception. This production at the Lowry received a rapturous cheer before even starting but had the audience eating out of its hands within seconds.

Edward Scissorhands is a Gothic story about a boy that is created by and left to cope in the world when his lonely inventor father dies, with only scissors for hands Edwards walk into society isn’t an easy one, with ‘picket fence’ Americans having to look past the appearance and find the real person deep within.

The story flows easily and even though the show is over two hours long you don’t even notice where the time went and this is down to the magic in Matthew Bourne’s slick and sensational choreography and direction, and helped along with one of the best looking sets by Lez Brotherston that I have seen in recent times, his costumes also deserve high praise. The score by Hollywood composer Danny Elfman and Terry Davies is outstanding and really evokes the Gothic atmosphere needed for this production to work. Howard Harrison’s lighting design should also be of note, providing rich Gothic tones and shades to make this one of the best lit productions.

Matthew Bourne has the ability to find a company that really do work as an ensemble and this production is no different, every member of the cast giving 110% throughout the whole show enabling us as an audience to be witness to one of the most original, inspiring and exciting pieces of Dance Theatre.

I’m not a reviewer that usually partakes in standing ovations as often they are contrived by the production or by screaming fanatics but this reviewer was so blown away, that I and the rest of the audience gave it the standing ovation that it rightly deserved. Whether you have an interest in dance, or not. This production is not to be missed and really is one of the theatrical events of the year.