Edward Scissorhands – Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures at The Lowry

Since its premiere in 2005, Matthew Bourne’s unique dance production of Edward Scissorhands has delighted audiences all over the world. This magical story of joy, creativity and acceptance, based on the classic Tim Burton movie, returns to The Lowry this winter.

For those who haven’t seen Burton’s cult film (with original screenplay by Caroline Thompson), the story follows Edward, a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies, he is left alone and unfinished – with only scissors for hands – living in a castle high on a hill. Soon, a kindly townswoman takes pity on Edward and invites him to live with her family. The whole narrative explores how Edward tries to fit into suburban America and The American Dream.

Beautifully performed by the New Adventures dancers, Matthew Bourne’s storytelling is hugely impressive. As always, Bourne gives his audience the visual clues to experience the story in a new and refreshing way. Beautiful, emotionally moving and elegantly danced – no mean feat when your main character has a set of blades for fingers, on each hand.

Danny Elfman and Terry Davies’ hauntingly wonderful musical score sets the scene perfectly for this American fantasy Gothic romance. Moving seamlessly from a big band-style arrangement at the Hope Springs Christmas Ball through to Danny Elfman’s ethereal original theme. Furthermore, Lez Brotherston’s costumes and sets are always a highlight and complement Bourne’s stunning choreography perfectly.

Beautiful, emotionally moving and elegantly danced – no mean feat when your main character has a set of blades for fingers, on each hand.

We’re thrilled that the sensational Liam Mower and Stephen Murray will star as Edward Scissorhands alongside Katrina Lyndon and the ever-brilliant Ashley Shaw as Kim Boggs. With Kerry Biggin, Sophia Hurdley, Etta Murfitt and Mami Tomotani as Peg Boggs; Glenn Graham and Dominic North as Bill Boggs; Benjamin Barlow Bazeley and Ben Brown as Jim Upton; Stephanie Billers, Nicole Kabera and Ashley Shaw as Joyce Monroe, and James Lovell, Luke Murphy and Reece Causton as her husband, George.

Since it was first performed in 2005 at Theatre Royal, Plymouth, Edward Scissorhands has carved a special place in the hearts of audiences. Following sell-out performances in America, Australia, Korea, Japan and Europe, the production had its first major revival in 2014 – now it returns to UK theatres for the first time in 9 years.

Of the production, Bourne told us, “Never has the story of Edward Scissorhands been more timely. In an era when uniqueness and identity is both celebrated and reviled, this 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.”

Witty and bittersweet, with choreography that will lift your heart.

Witty and bittersweet, with choreography that will lift your heart, Bourne’s exceptional storytelling is vivid and striking – leading the audience through the story of an incomplete boy finding his way in a peculiar new world.

With an outstanding cast of New Adventures’ super-talented dancers and an award-winning creative team headed up by master storyteller Matthew Bourne, Edward Scissorhands is utterly unmissable.