IF it wasn’t for cinema, Sir Matthew Bourne might never have become an internationally acclaimed, Bafta-winning choreographer and director.
His work is rooted in cinematic influences - in The Car Man he gives Bizet’s Carmen a West Side Story-style twist, Play Without Words is an adaptation of Dirk Bogarde film The Servant, and The Red Shoes is his ode to Powell and Pressburger. In the West End, Bourne has directed stage adaptations of My Fair Lady and Mary Poppins.
Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands, based on the much-loved Tim Burton film, is a terrific family show - funny, moving and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies from the movie.
Devised, directed and choreographed by Bourne, the bittersweet story of a boy left alone in a strange new world is brought to the stage by his New Adventures dance company and returns to the Alhambra next month. It stars Liam Mower and Stephen Murray sharing the title role with Katrina Lyndon and Ashley Shaw as Kim Boggs.
In a castle high on a hill lives Edward, a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies, he’s left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands, until a kindly woman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in a community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the gentle soul within?
The story has never been more timely, says Bourne: “In an era when uniqueness and identity is both celebrated and reviled, its story of how we treat anyone who appears to be different in our communities is as poignant and relevant as when my dear friend Caroline Thompson wrote the screenplay for Tim Burton’s legendary movie fable some 33 years ago.
“Once again I am truly indebted to Caroline, Tim Burton and Danny Elfman for trusting us with their beloved tale. In fact, New Adventures is the only company in the world that performs Edward Scissorhands as a theatrical spectacle.
“One of the joys of our show is the generational casting. Our town of Hope Springs USA is made up of six families, a Mother, a Father, a Son and a Daughter (though this year we have also added a same-sex parent family for the first time).
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to support younger dancers, many of whom have been nurtured in our talent development programmes, but also to work, once again, with many former New Adventures stars, in the roles of the Mums and Dads! I’m thrilled to welcome Edward back to spread his message of joy, creativity and acceptance”.
* Edward Scissorhands is at the Alhambra from April 9-13. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
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