Review: Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands, UK Tour, Glasgow 2024

Lisa in the theatre
May 22, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jun 2

Stephen Murray as Edward Scissorhands in Matthew Bourne's dance show. Photo credit: Johan Persson — Stephen Murray as Edward in Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands. Photo: Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands ★★★★★ Stunning!

Devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne

Review: 21 May 2024 | Theatre Royal, Glasgow

Returning to Glasgow for the first time in ten years, Matthew Bourne's magical production of Edward Scissorhands is more timely and more stunning than ever. Bourne's New Adventures are the only company in the world permitted to perform Edward's story on stage. They have taken Tim Burton's beloved film and Danny Elfman's spine-tingling score and turned them into an exquisite dance theatre masterpiece.

What is Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands about?

When Edward's creator dies before he is complete, he is left alone to fend for himself with only scissors for hands. When Edward wanders into the local town, the good-hearted Mrs Boggs takes him into her home and tries to integrate him into her family and to their local suburban community.

Stephen Murray as Edward Scissorhands with cast in Matthew Bourne's dance show. Photo credit: Johan Persson — Stephen Murray as Edward Scissorhands with cast. Photo: Johan Persson

Before the show even begins, Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands looks gorgeous. A beautiful lighting effect punctuates the title screen and lets us know it's showtime! From then on in, the sets, staging and costume design from Lez Brotherston are superb. The haunting new music and arrangements of Elfman's classic score by Terry Davies are sublime. This may be the most aesthetically pleasing show on the UK theatre circuit at present.

And that's before we even get to the dancers!

The dancers, as expected from New Adventures, are incredible. Bright, lively, beautiful - they flit across the stage on nimble toes, their facial expressions and mannerisms all that are needed to tell a complete story. Impeccably directed, even without any spoken words, the storyline is clear and riveting. It's a real talent to tell an entire tale through dance, and none do it better than Matthew Bourne.

The cast of Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands. Photo credit: Johan Persson

Reprising her role as Kim Boggs, it was a delight to see the wonderful Ashley Shaw perform on the Glasgow stage once again alongside the brilliant original Edward Scissorhands himself, Dominic North as Bill Boggs.

Donning the scissors for opening night in Glasgow we had Stephen Murray in the lead role of Edward and he was sensational. What an actor, what a dancer, what a star! I do not have enough superlatives to do his flawless performance justice. He was simply, outstanding.

The entire company are wonderful. They work together to lay down a masterful display of acting through dance. It's astonishing to witness and a real treat of a night out.

Edward Scissorhands as a ballet is surprisingly full of humour; it's probably the wittiest dance production I've ever seen. But it's also a bittersweet tale that sees a lonely, different boy struggle to fit in. I sobbed my heart out. It's stunning. ★★★★★

TICKETS

Edward Scissorhands is at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow from 21 - 25 May 2024

Matthew Bourne said “Never has the story of Edward Scissorhands been more timely. In an era when uniqueness and identity is both celebrated and reviled, its story of how we treat anyone who appears to be different in our communities is as poignant and relevant as when my dear friend Caroline Thompson wrote the screenplay for Tim Burton’s legendary movie fable some 33 years ago.

Once again I am truly indebted to Caroline, Tim Burton and Danny Elfman for trusting us with their beloved tale. In fact, New Adventures is the only company in the world that performs Edward Scissorhands as a theatrical spectacle. I’m thrilled to welcome “Edward” back for our 2023/4 season to spread his message of joy, creativity and acceptance”.

MORE: Find more dance reviews on Lisa in the Theatre here

📸 Find Lisa in the Theatre on Instagram