Edward Scissorhands at Birmingham Hippodrome Review

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Tue 06 Feb 2024 - Sat 10 Feb 2024

This dance adaptation of the famous Edward Scissorhands movie has choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne's signature style all over it. There's no need for words as his mesmerising and often fun perfectly designed movements recreate all the emotion of this gothic tale.

It's a welcome return of Edward Scissorhands back to Birmingham Hippodrome by Bourne's company New Adventures after nine years. It stays for nearly a week from Tuesday February 6 until Saturday February 10 and I caught it on opening night.

Retelling the story of a young man with scissors for hands finding his way in the world in 1950s America, it brings a different dimension to the Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp. There's a scintillating score, the same dark elements plus big budget effects and exquisite costumes.

It starts off in Frankenstein-esque scenes as a grieving dad is rebuilding a replacement son. Before he can finish, things turn even more sinister as teenage troublemakers break in causing tragic consequences and leaving our hero Edward unfinished with his razor-sharp accessories for hands.



Wandering off into the town he is taken in by the kindly Boggs family who are one of the six families we get to meet and understand in this small town of Hope Springs. The piece de resistance is these marvellous characterisations.

Bourne has become famous for his detail along with zestful choreography and that's seen clearly not just for the leads of Edward and his cheerleader love Kim Boggs but every member of the six families in small town Hope Springs. There's the grim reverend, his wife and their angry disturbing children who are as menacing as the self-serving Mayor whose teenagers are vicious hoodlums out to get Edward.

On the funnier side, there's the Monroe family, where sexy housewife, played by an exuberant Nicole Kabera, is constantly getting up to no good behind her nerdy husband's back. He's played by Luke Murphy who steals every scene he is in whether he is gurning, speed walking in tiny shorts or letting the mower run away from him. A true delight.



The storytelling in the choreography and mannerisms is simply a cut above and dancer Liam Mower as Edward makes the scissors seem like a natural extension of his body. Yet he's not the only one perfecting his role as the whole cast is first-class in this ultra-slick production.

The dancing feels fresh and dreamy after so many years and the scene where Edward and Ashley Shaw's Kim cavort in the snow around an ice sculpture is a romantic masterpiece. It will make you sigh out loud.

Along the way, there's enchanting set pieces with dancing topiary and a cleverly crafted salon scene where TV reporters turn up to see Edward's creations. Even they are given their own backstory. It all leads up to a big Christmas ball when there is so much going on, you won't know where to look.



That's part of the magic of a Bourne production. The richness of characters and attention to detail mean you could see the same show again and again, always noticing something new.

Edward Scissorhands is a masterclass in storytelling and emotion through dance. It still shines bright and is a must-see show.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Tickets cost £25 from the Birmingham Hippodrome website here.

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