When a friend informed me about the upcoming ‘Edward Scissorhands Ballet’ at The Theatre Royal in Nottingham, being the pink of courtesy, I endeavoured to get tickets for us. As fans of Tim Burton’s enchanting 90s movie, it’s somewhat of a tradition to rewatch it every Christmas to ignite the holiday spirit. Envisioning how this poignant and beautiful tale would be interpreted into a ballet format filled me with excitement and anticipation.
The production, crafted for the stage by Caroline Thompson and devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, revolves around Edward, a peculiar outsider adorned with scissor hands, who finds solace in a warm household in the town of Hope Springs. His presence captivates the seemingly bored town residents, injecting excitement and curiosity into their lives.
The vibrant and colorful set design by Lez Brotherston expertly recreated the residential street, featuring charming cutout bungalow houses giving an optical illusion sense of size and depth. The choreography showcased the talents of all the dancers, from the main characters to supporting roles, creating seamless and mesmerising performances. While the lead dancers naturally drew attention, observing the passion and enthusiasm of every performer, whether in the spotlight or background, was truly captivating. The frequent glances and interactions with the audience added a delightful touch of humour to the show, too.
At its core, the story unfolds the blossoming love between Edward and Kim, portrayed through emotionally rich duets that exude tenderness. One memorable scene involves Edward sculpting an exquisite ice figure of Kim, accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful orchestral score by composed by Terry Davies. This evocative moment, with delicate snow falling gently around, immerses the audience in a magical and moving love story.
Overall, the ballet left me with a heartwarming and euphoric feeling. I highly recommend experiencing it if you have the chance!
Review by James Toomey
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