Edward Scissorhands (UK Tour 2024)
Devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne
21 May 2024
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stunning!
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 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.
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.
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. 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.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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”.
📸 Production photos: Johan Persson
🎞️ Watch the trailer for Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands here:
Edward Scissorhands Cast (Glasgow Theatre Royal, Tuesday 21 May 2024
Edward Scissorhands Stephen Murray
Peg Boggs/Old Kim Kerry Biggin
Bill Boggs/Funeral Dominic North
Kim Boggs Ashley Shaw
Kevin Boggs/Little Edward Jamie Duncan-Campbell
Joyce Monroe Stephanie Billers
George Monroe/Funeral/TV Reporter Luke Murphy
Miss Bunny Monroe/Christmas Caroler/Topiary 1 Megan Ferguson
Gerald Monroe/Topiary 2/ Christmas Caroler Aristide Lyons
Mrs Charity Upton/Funeral/Topiary 3 Christina Gibbs
Mayor Franklyn Upton III/Inventor Glenn Graham
Darlene Upton/Topiary 4/Xmas Bad Carrie Willis
James ‘Jim’ Upton Benjamin Barlow Bazeley
Tiffany Covitt/TV Reporter Molly Shaw-Downie
Brad Covitt/Topiary 5 Andrew Ashton
Candy Covitt/Cheerleader/Topiary 6/Caroler Anna Maria de Freitas
Chase Covitt/Topiary 7/ Caroler Xholindi Muci
Esmerelda Evereech/Funeral Mami Tomotani
Rev Judas Evereech Reece Causton
Marilyn-Ann Evereech/Topiary 8/ Xmas Bad Alice O’Brien
Gabriel Evereech/Topiary 9/Xmas Bad Perreira de Jesus Franque
Ryan Gaibright/Funeral/Photographer Barnaby Quarendon
Todd Gaibright/Funeral/Topiary 10/Haircut reveal James Lovell
Sandra Gaibright/Cheerleader/Topiary 11/Caroler Savannah Ffrench
Sheldon Gaibright/Topiary 12/Xmas Bad Xavier Andriambolanoro Sotiya
Edward Scissorhands UK Tour - dates, venues and tickets
THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW
TUESDAY 21 – SATURDAY 25 MAY
Glasgow is the final date of the 2023/24 UK Tour, however Edward is going to Amsterdam! For more info on Amsterdam dates click here
➡️ See what else is coming up at The Theatre Royal, Glasgow soon including Life of Pi, Burlesque, Only fools and Horses the musical and Disney's Aladdin!
➡️ See what else is coming up at Glasgow King's Theatre soon including Jesus Christ Superstar, & Juliet, Come From Away and 101 Dalmatians.
All links are ATG affiliate links.
Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands review, New Adventures, UK Tour, Theatre Royal, Glasgow May 2024
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
