Edward Scissorhands at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton Review
Edward Scissorhands
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
3-7 March 2015
Reviewed by Lynn McClean
Last night after 2 hours in terrible traffic my daughter and myself eventually got to watch the Matthew Bourne’s production of Edward Scissorhands at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. I had never seen the film before but my daughter ensured me I would enjoy the story.
Right from the start the music was haunting and blue spot lights where shone over the audience. From Edward’s rigid, tick-tock movements early on, to his increasingly touching and human exchanges with his beloved Kim, and from the bustle of Hope Springs to the almost Busby Berkeley style conformity of the jiving at the parties, the dancing always seems to grow straight out of the narrative. It’s is not so much that you don’t miss the presence of words, more that you barely notice their absence in the first place.
Considerable credit is due, too to Bourne’s super cast. The actor playing Edward was unbelievable, using his face as much as his physique, and a real comedian where it’s called for, he injects humanity into the more puppetry wordless semi classical ballet passages and a touching gawkiness in the romantic exchanges, displaying a long-limbed lyricism perfectly in tune with the character’s pure, gentle soul.
He is impeccably abetted by the actress playing Kim. Who is torn between Edward and the brutish normality of Jim Upton.
The show has generous sprinkling of humour, including a runaway lawnmower, man-eating next-door neighbour, God fearing gothics and plenty of innuendo ensured a smile was never far away. Edwards’s ability to craft ludicrous haircuts also sparked lots of chuckles, as did his topic topiary, both imaginatively portrayed on stage.
He made light work of the awkward task of dancing freely around stage with multi pairs of enormous scissors dangling off either arm and added a lump-in the-throat dollop of poignancy to his portrayal too.
Once again the staff at the Mayflower gave a warm welcome to all their customers.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19 to £38
Edward Scissorhands is at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton until 7 March 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 02380 711811.
Mayflower Theatre, Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1GE | 02380 711811
