Sir Matthew Bourne’s incredibly talented New Adventures dance company have been captivating the ballet world for almost 20 years with their critically acclaimed production of Edward Scissorhands. 

A contemporary dance adaptation of Tim Burton’s 1990 cult movie of the same name, the show is back in Birmingham until Saturday and well worth a look.

Essentially a romantic fairytale - albeit a melancholic and rather dark one - it tells the story of a bereaved inventor who sets about creating a boy but dies before completing him. Named Edward, and with scissors instead of hands, the boy seeks company, love and acceptance in a nearby town called Hope Springs. When there, he puts his scissor skills to good use, trimming hedges, creating topiary and cutting hair (or, in the case of one unsuspecting poodle, fur!).

However, despite Edward’s best attempts to fit in, the well-meaning community struggles to see beyond his strange and rather frightening appearance, remaining sadly unaware of just how gentle and innocent a soul he actually is.

There is, though, one shaft of light in the darkness for the unusual young man, as a love story unfolds with a high-school student named Kim Boggs, the daughter of a family who offer him a home...

The two lead dancers - Liam Mower as Edward and Ashley Shaw as Kim - are excellent and believable, their performances greatly enhanced by some incredibly clever choreography. Perhaps the most brilliant example of this comes in one of their pas de deux, with Edward managing to lift Kim over his shoulders without touching her with his dangerous blades. A truly awesome moment.

As with all of his shows, Sir Matthew has here created his own distinctive interpretation of a well-known tale. Edward Scissorhands is a visually stunning production - Hope Springs is presented as a brightly coloured, almost cartoon-like location - and features a haunting yet lively score which is based on themes from the original film and music from the 1950s era in which the story is set.

Also boasting fabulous choreography, ballet mixed with contemporary dance, great costumes and spectacular special effects, the production positively sparkles with wit and humour.

And it’s a story with a sting in its tail, too; although a hugely enjoyable show, it nevertheless challenges its audience to contemplate how it might feel to be shunned or bullied for being somehow different.

If you’re a long-term admirer of New Adventures’ work but haven’t ever seen Edward Scissorhands, be sure to get yourself a ticket for this production - you won’t be disappointed. 

And if, on the other hand, Bourne’s ballets have so far remained an undiscovered country for you, then this show is definitely a great introduction to his phenomenally impressive body of work.

A standing ovation from an enthusiastic and appreciative audience, along with a gentle sprinkling of snow reaching into the stalls, made for a wonderful end to this beautiful ballet.

5 stars

Sir Matthew Bourne & New Adventures’ Edward Scissorhands was reviewed by Sue Hull on Tuesday 6 February at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 10 February