Edward Scissorhands - a cut above the rest

I loved Tim Burton's film of Edward Scissorhands - was it really 25 years ago? - such a touching tale of an innocent boy with his awkward scissors-for-hands. 

The endearing Edward, with his clinking blades has held a special place in my heart ever since so I was excited to see him on stage at last. And particularly this current production by New Adventures, as it is directed by the wonderfully creative Matthew Bourne. Having transferred to the New Victoria Woking following a sell out run at Sadlers Wells, my thoughts were with the cast on the first night. Moving location after a successful run must be physically and psychologically challenging for a show that relies heavily on tightly choreographed dances and careful timing.

It was totally enchanting from the first curtain. A beautiful set designed by Lez Brotherston transported us swiftly into a dark and mysterious house where the old professor quietly works on the creation of Edward and his temporary hands. Dark is done well by Bourne - there was not a sound to be heard from a gripped audience as the new Edward evolves, played so convincingly by Dominic North as he jerks and stumbles and gets used to his new limbs.  The silence is shattered when the house is broken into by intruders, Edward escapes in terror and finds himself amongst the quirky inhabitants of small town Hope Springs. Seen at first as a freak of nature, his endearing nature wins him friends and he find security when one family adopts him as their own. The plot is very simple, boy (with scissors) falls for local girl who already has bully boyfriend. Girl falls for the lovely, innocent Edward, romance tentatively ensues, bully gets hacked off an reacts badly until - well, I mustn't ruin the ending.Into this simple plot Matthew Bourne weaves a wonderful world of colour, music and high imagination. The set is one fantastic, gigantic animation with wonky houses, oversized doors, fluffy pink beds and stylised props. Costumes, also by Lez Brotherston, are wonderfully wacky and hair and make up are off the wall. What an incredible time the creative teams must have had with this production. 

Even the greatest costumes and props cannot diffuse timid dancing, but in this show, every character shone through - New Adventures is a massively talented troupe with confident dancers who look as if every show is their first exciting debut. One fantastic dance after another reveals incredibly tight choreography that gets the whole joint jumping. Dominic North's jerky, awkward, totally trusting Edward contrasts beautifully with Ashley Shaw as the delicate and absurdly cute love interest Kim. Etta Murfitt is vibrant and domestically gorgeous as the mother who welcomes Edward into her home. But - It is impossible to highlight all the 'stars' of this show as so many of the cast, however minor their part, are brilliant in their roles.Backed by a thumping good score written and conducted by Terry Davies, this is an entrancing production with enough feel-good factor to get me, and the scores of other people who rose to their feet with applause, through the rest of a long winter.  

Edward Scissorhands is at the New Victoria Woking until Saturday January 17th. Then touring the UK. Tour dates and tickets: http://new-adventures.net/edward-scissorhands/tour-dates