FOR a young dancer, fresh out of ballet school, joining one of the world's most acclaimed companies for a national tour could have been a daunting prospect.

But Bethany Pike was welcomed to New Adventures with open arms, and has nothing but praise for its founder, maverick choreographer and director, Matthew Bourne.

"He doesn't just create something then abandon you when it's up and running. He's very hands on, he's always there for opening nights on regional tours and he's lovely to work with," says Bethany.

Bourne turned the world of classical ballet on its head with his striking version of Swan Lake with an all-male ensemble. Now his take on Edward Scissorhands has been refreshed and is back on the road.

Based on Tim Burton's 1990 movie - about a boy created by an inventor who dies before completing him - the show is a glorious gothic fairytale, with snow storms, ice sculptures, pirouetting topiary figures, lively dances - to a score by Danny Elfman, who composed music for The Simpsons and Desperate Housewives - and a cast full of colourful characters.

It's the sad tale of an outsider who is adopted by a suburban family, but struggles to fit in because he's a grotesque-looking creature with scissors for hands. Bethany plays Bunny Monroe, the daughter of a small town vamp whose thwarted efforts to seduce Edward lead to the townsfolk turning against him.

"We all have raunchy red hair in the family, it looks very camp!" smiles Bethany. "I was a big fan of the film and when I was training I loved watching Matthew's shows, so to be making my professional debut in this show is amazing."

Anyone who has seen Edward Scissorhands will know that, far from presenting a faceless ensemble, the dancers bring individual personalities to their characters.

"We had a character workshop and were encouraged to really get to know our characters and develop them," says Bethany. "Each dancer brings something new to their character. Family and friends who have been to see it more than once say it's like watching a different show each time, because there's so much going on and they focus on different characters acting out their own little stories. It makes a connection with the audience."

Edward Scissorhands is a family show, and is more theatre than ballet. Matthew Bourne once said: "Approach it as a ballet and you'll be disappointed." His aim was to reach audiences who may no think they like ballet.

"It's not a traditional ballet, there are no rows of ballerinas in tutus dancing on points, and there's lots of humour in it which appeals to different audiences," says Bethany. "It makes dance more accessible. There are so many dance shows on TV now, and these days in the industry you have to be so versatile. It's a lovely, expressive thing to do and it stays with you for life."

Bethany graduated with a first class degree from Central School of Ballet in 2013. Previously she had been an associate with the Royal Ballet School, appearing with the Royal Ballet and dancing principal roles with the National Youth Ballet, including the title role in Wayne Sleep’s Cinderella.

Bethany also has several choreographic credits, and won a place on Youth Dance England’s 2012 Young Creatives programme.

Despite dancing with New Adventures, and maintaining the rigid disciplined lifestyle of a dancer, she says the biggest challenge on the road is living out of a suitcase.

"I'm a girl so of course I don't pack lightly," she smiles.

* Edward Scissorhands run at the Alhambra from Monday to Saturday. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.