Review of Edward Scissorhands at Milton Keynes Theatre

The 1990 Tim Burton movie Edward Scissorhands is a classic of its genre, somewhat in a genre of Burton's own creation it has to be said, but still a classic. The innovative director has made the dark, fantastical style with broad colours and dark atmosphere very much his thing, and the magnificent world and story of Edward was the perfect fodder for Sir Matthew Bourne, dance supremo, to create a stunning dance adaptation.

Bourne's show was first staged in 2005 and is here at Milton Keynes Theatre as part of a new UK tour. This tour actually provides the first opportunity to see the show on stage for nine years, and is it well worth doing so. It has to be said, that it is very different at times from the Burton film, and not just because this is dance. The story has been dramatically altered and very much lightened as well, there is, much more humour at play in this production, especially thanks to a huge development of the townspeople of Hope Springs, where Edward finds himself following the death of his scientist father/creator.

All of the residents are brought to life in such individual delight, with just costume, mannerism, and dance that this alone is a sublime five-star experience. The Monroe family, for instance, brings so much humour to the production, be it the brilliant Nicole Kabera as the maneater Joyce Monroe, ready to seduce the scissor-handed innocent or get her kicks from a washing machine. Meanwhile scene stealer James Lovell as her husband George, henpecked but ready to strut his glorious weakling body, but quickly got the better of by a lawnmower. There is just so much to love in fact from every character in the town of Hope Springs that they make a brilliant show of themselves.

However what of the main attraction, the man at the cutting edge of the show? The original film made a star of Johnny Depp in the titular role, so, anyone stepping into those scissors has much to live up to, even if that role is here being created via the medium of dance. Taking that task in this performance, a role shared on this tour, is Stephen Murray, and he is superb. It helps that the combination of exceptional costumes, a strong feature of this production, from Lez Brotherston, and the stunning make-up work create very much the look of the film's character. However, it is when Murray moves, that you see even more how well the character has been captured. Even during a dance, the awkwardness and innocentness of Edward shows. However, it is also a delight as well to see how the character grows, as the uncommonly gentle man becomes more confident in his surroundings.

Bourne's choreography is all tip-top as you would imagine, created both to perfection and with innovation, and easily getting the Burton style. The Topiary Garden scene, for instance, is pure Burton, despite never having remotely featured within the film. This is coupled with endless, quite beautiful scenes, which culminate with the stunning, Annual Christmas Ball.

It all truly is a delight, to be honest. This is very much Bourne as some of his best, accessible clear, and crisp storytelling. Perhaps the perfect way to have your first experience of a dance show such as this. Beautiful, captivating, delightful, and surprisingly funny, you really should seek this out at Milton Keynes or at some point during its extensive tour.

Visually stunning and superb storytelling through dance, this truly is a must-see show.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Tuesday 30th January 2024 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

Edward Scissorhands runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 3rd February 2024.

For further details about Milton Keynes see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Production photos: Johan Persson
(Images may represent performers different to those mentioned in this review)

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