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Matthew Bourneand New Adventures December 2005 London, Sadler's Wells by HimInDoors |
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As posted on our Postings pages... Tim Burton’s iconic 1990 film of Edward Scissorhands leaves a lasting image of a gentle, non-conformist, almost messianic figure arriving in toy town America. Matthew Bourne cleverly captures the essence of the film and weaves his usual witty magic around the details. The result is great theatrical entertainment, though from a dance fans point of view, it is a perhaps a cent short of a dime bar. The opening differs from the film, though the result is the same. There is no Avon lady visiting the spindly gothic mansion on the hill. Instead, we find the inventor, mourning his dead son, and stitching together a benign Frankenstein in his place. ‘Trick or Treaters’ climb into his lonely abode, and literally scare him to death. Edward, the immaculate conception, stumbles out into modern suburbia. Bourne cleverly introduces the families of Hope Springs with a ‘suburban ballet’. The moms, dads and mostly well groomed offspring enter and leave their multifarious cookie-cutter houses, peck their wives on the cheek, and drive their cars, leading 1950’s apple pie lives in Hope Springs eternal sunshine. Peg Boggs takes pity on the itinerant Edward, scavenging in a dustbin, and brings him home to stay chez Boggs. Edward is comically dressed in pyjamas (modest strains of ‘Play Without Words’), and lies down to rest - no slashed water beds like the film. He sees the posters of Kim Boggs, the cheerleader daughter, on her bedroom wall, and imagines her in the flesh. The parochial desperate housewives view Edward with suspicion, and tongues wag. But an invitation to the Boggs barbecue and a some free topiary turns the tide. We are treated to the first of 2 lively jive sequences in the show, as Edward is feted by the neighbours. Bourne is a bona fide jive-bunny, but lovely, leggy Michaela Meazza, playing the lustful Joyce Monroe, is queen of the hutch. At every opportunity she ignores her wimpy spouse (the amusing Steve Kirkham), and pursues anything in trousers. But the man with the dangerous hands arouses her passions the most. Having rearranged the local bushes, Edwardo the moustached barber tries a little cranial topiary. Joyce invites him home for a private trim, while Mr Monroe takes his flaccid spray can to the aphids in the garden. Edward shuns her attempts at a horizontal pas de deux, and dashes out the house, leaving her to vibrate on the washing machine. His heart belongs to Kim, though her all American boyfriend is a slight obstacle in the way. The dance highlight of the evening is the surreal dream sequence of Edward No-scissor hands dancing with Kim, accompanied by green latex bushes. The annual Christmas Ball is a jive of activity, with ladies in dirndl skirts and men sporting improbable DA’s. Kim’s jock boyfriend gets Edward drunk, a fight ensues, and the suburban dream is over. Edward the outsider is hounded out of town, and snowflakes fall in sympathy.
There are many pluses to this show. Lez Brotherston clever sets are a delight, with lots of amusing features. The dreamy original musical score by Danny Elfman is complimented by Terry Davies lively contributions. A great piece of theatre and surely one of the best shows currently in London.
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