edward scissorhands @ sadler’s wells
Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures has once again outdone themselves. This is the kind of company that each time one has the privilege to witness live, they think it cannot get better than this… And let me tell you, it also never fails to overcome those exact expectations.
Edward Scissorhands is a tale really close to my heart; it’s the story of an outcast, of a creature that never felt quite understood and turned to emotional and physical isolation. Edward can teach so much to younger audiences, especially on staying true to yourself and presenting your flaws as your biggest strength and highest powers. Let’s dive into the story of the boy with a big heart, as well as hands that could make a heartbeat stop.
Creative Team
Deviser, Director and Choreographer: Matthew Bourne
New music and arrangements: Terry Davies
Motion Picture (basis) score: Danny Elfman
Motion Picture (basis) direction: Tim Burton
Co-adaptation: Caroline Thompson
Set & Costume Designer: Lez Brotherston
Lighting Designer: Howard Harrison
Sound Designer: Paul Groothius
Projection Designer: Duncan McLean
Associate Artistic Director: Etta Murfitt
Cast (in the given performance)
Edward Scissorhands: Liam Mower,
Peg Boggs: Mami Tomotani, Bill Boggs: Dominic North, Kim Boggs: Ashley Shaw, Kevin Boggs: Xavier Andriambolanoro Sotiya,
Joyce Monroe: Nicole Kabera, George Monroe: James Lovell, Bunny Monroe: Megan Ferguson, Gerald Monroe: Aristide Lyons,
Charity Upton: Stephanie Billers, Mayor Franklin Upton III: Luke Murphy, Darlene Upton: Anna Maria de Freitas, James ‘Jim’ Upton: Ben Brown,
Esmeralda Evercreech: Christina Gibbs, Rev. Judas Evercreech: Reece Causton, Marilyn-Ann Evercreech: Holly Saw, Gabriel Evercreech: Nikolas Shikkis,
Tiffany Covitt: Carrie Willis, Brad Covitt: Andrew Ashton, Candy Covitt: Savvanah Ffrench, Chase Covitt: Perreira de Jesus Franque,
Ryan Gaibright: Edwin Ray, Todd Gaibright: Barnaby Quarendon, Sandra Gaibright: Jade Copas, Sheldon Gaibright: Xholindi Muci,
The Inventor: Glenn Graham, Little Edward: Jamie Duncan-Campbell, Old Kim: Mami Tomotani
I would like to take this opportunity, in the form of the gift of writing, to really express my admiration for the way this company works. After getting to the nitty gritty of the beautifully detailed programme brochure, watching the original motion picture and reading and listening to countless creatives’ interviews, the way Bourne has made this story hit the stage is truly special. New Adventures is the only company worldwide that has been allowed to adapt the film into a staged dance production for a reason. Other than our title-named protagonist and the inventor, our story consists of six families; Boggs, Monroe, Upton, Evercreech, Covitt & Gaibright. Each family holds their own different dynamic, identity and social status, giving the audience immediately an idea of the personality hierarchy and relationships. The conviction of Edward by Liam Mower was something I was particularly looking forward to; Mower is revisiting this role and naturally, it somehow seems like it’s inhibited his muscle memory. The repertoire is delivered with extreme grace and effortless elegance, and the theatricalities read out mystically human. Edward becomes who everyone in the auditorium is rooting for, from start to finish, and his innocence is the cherry on top, making him a helpless romantic. Ashley Shaw as Kim Boggs is a true force in every single Bourne production I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. The Mower-Shaw partnership is more so to die for, a real treat for the theatre of today. The Australian star, Ashley Shaw always manages to present boldness and bravery in her character choices, levelling up her traditional, technical training to something magical as Kim Boggs. The essence of their love story is captivating and regardless of realism, organically believable and spontaneous. The rest of the cast is carrying the show with nothing other than brilliance, with a special shoutout to Aristide Lyons, a personal favourite performer of the evening whom I can’t wait to see more of in New Adventures and beyond. There was a real star quality and eye-catching temperament that Lyons possessed in the most contagious way, making everyone in the audience unable to take their eyes of him. Of course. this wouldn’t be about ES if I didn’t mention the three most iconic scenes: A New Home, A Boggs BBQ and The Ice Dance. The former is a hilarious sequence of events in Edward’s evening routine at the Boggs household, jumping onto matching, striped pjs and tucked into a cheerleader’s teenage room, what could go wrong? Furthermore, we have the Boggs BBQ, where the gossip is at its peak, the whole town has gathered for freshly toasted meat of the Scissorhands by yours truly and a feisty Joyce Monroe with what I’m guessing is a silver lining fetish. Lastly, a sentimental Ice Dance where, as Shaw described, ‘Bourne choreographes like a movie on stage’. In an angelic yet daring manner, the chemistry between Kim and Edward is so strong, lifts are done without hand assistance and love is shown without being held in traditional ways, that’s the bit where if you haven’t already, the tears are coming in…
Overall, this show was a joyous time at Sadler’s, with the company’s unique ability to make every single audience member feel seen, heard and may I say - ready to embark on New Adventures.
I sincerely hope this love letter of a review reaches someone involved in this magical show and shall be a small, virtual scissorhand gesture of appreciation and awe.
