EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, UK, 2024. Starring Liam Mower, Ashley Shaw. Directed by Matthew Bourne; screen version, Ross McGibbon. 90 minutes. Rated G (Very mild themes, violence and sexual innuendo)
Edward Scissorhands, 1990, was one of Tim Burton’s most popular films, starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder. It was a fantasy about an inventor and his creature who had scissors in place of hands. He goes down from his inventor’s castle into the contemporary world and meet kindly and also exploitative people, who make a fuss of him and his ability to shape hedges and hair. But, the people turn against him, persecute him, hound him out of the town.
Ballet choreographer, Matthew Bourne, has created many significant ballets – The Nutcracker, The Car Man and an all-male Swan Lake. He choreographed his version of Edward Scissorhands in 2005. Now his 2022 version has been filmed for theatrical release.
This is contemporary dance theatre rather than ballet. Matthew Bourne has choreographed a range of individual dances, ensemble dancing as in music theatre, a range of musical styles, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, and a range of dancing styles participated in by Edward himself, quite a moving performance from Mower.
This production keeps the basic outline of Tim Burton’s film and Caroline Thompson’s screenplay with some variations.
The impact of this kind of production for the theatre audience is its view of the whole stage, the effect of distance from the stage, the audience choosing characters to focus on, individuals, but an ensemble experience.
This screen theatrical experience is quite different. There are many ensemble sequences, the audience viewing the whole stage. However, it is also cinematic because of the camera work, the editing, the decisions for particular focus on characters, some extreme close-ups, especially of Edward, choices made by the director but effective in communicating the drama, the emotions, the development of the characters. It is a different experience from that in the theatre.
For many, Tim Burton’s film has been a continuing favourite. So has the musical score by Danny Elfman, the main themes are incorporated into this score. For those not familiar with Edward Scissorhands, a surprising experience. For those familiar, a different reliving of the film.
Sharmill Films
Released 26 September