Edward Scissorhands at Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Zoey Caldwell
Being a woman nearing her 50th year I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to review Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands. I was 15 when Tim Burton’s movie was released, and it was magical and heart wrenching. Tonight, was my first experience of a ballet/dance production, so I really did not know what to expect.
Set in the 1950’s in Hope Springs, Edward Scissorhands is the story of an inventor’s unfinished project and the challenges he faces when the inventor tragically dies of a heart attack. Alone and afraid Edward wanders from the relative safety of the inventor’s home into town and is immediately judged and taunted for being different- when I say taunted, this performance has no dialogue, the taunts and the ignorant bias are cleverly performed through dance and expression.
Luckily for Edward he is taken in by Peg Boggs ( Sofia Hurdley) and her family and although relationships blossom there is always a loneliness about Edward that leaves you desperate for him to have his love for Kim Boggs ( Katrina Lyndon) reciprocated.
Matthew Bourne manages to tell a story, whilst enabling the performers to individualise characters into an array of personalities for you to love or hate or be indifferent to- all through dance and performance. This is incredibly clever and to top this there is also a few moments of laugh out loud humour but without a punchline. A mix of old fashioned slapstick behaviours, extremely talented dancers and of course the exact right piece of music to set the tone. This is a performance that you could revisit and concentrate on other characters and watch their story unfold too. It has so many layers.
Stephen Murray stole the show as Edward, he not only is an incredible dancer, but he took the audience along for the roller coaster of emotions that Edward feels. There are some big whole town affair dance routines, but I have to say other than the ball performance, my favourite times when it was just Edward and Kim. For me this was the magic, the ice-sculpture scene is just breathtakingly beautiful. Katrina and Stephen look just stunning, it was during these moments that I felt the way I had envisioned I would watching ballet. They move so gracefully, effortlessly and they make you believe they are in love.
The big dance affairs took us to several places, they depicted life in 1950’s America, Stepford wives at home and the competitive men off to work. It is here that credit needs to be given to the comedic talent of James Lovell, playing George Monroe- look out for him in those laugh out loud moments, he is always there! Another place and my favourite place that they took me was the Hope Spring Ball – for me this was like watching an old-style movie musical- reminiscent of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers era – I am aware that was tap but the costumes and the lighting the commitment of each and every dancer on the stage to create a piece of magic was equally as showstopping.
Edward Scissorhands has opened my eyes to a different type of performing art and I am happy that I chose it to be the first ballet I saw. The sets were fantastic, the costumes were just stunning, Joyce Monroe’s dress at the ball is simply gorgeous. This production is a huge one and the team have pulled off a remarkable piece of art, and again the talent to tell a story, give an insight into the main characters flaws or attributes with scripted word is incredible. A show for the whole family!
Rating: 4/5.
Tickets cost from £27.00 plus £3.80 transaction fee, Edward Scissorhands is at Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes from Tuesday 30th January- Saturday 3rd February, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com or call the box office on 03330095399. Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/edward-scissorhands/milton-keynes-theatre