MODERN DANCE EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Theatre Royal. Glasgow, Tue 11-Sat 15 Apr 0000.
Despite selling more tickets, winning more awards and pleasing more people than any other choreographer in Britain, Matthew Bourne still has his critics: hardcore dance fans who bemoan the lack of choreography in his work, or musical theatre goers who puzzle over why his performers don't speak. Well, Edward Scissorhands will do little to assuage them, for this is Bourne’s most unashamedly musical show to date. On a number of occasions you fully expect the dancers to burst into song. They don’t, of course, which is what makes Bourne so special. Time and again he proves that narrative dance can be fun, entertaining and, more often than not, incredibly moving.
The character of Edward won director Tim Burton a legion of fans when the film was released in 1990. Taking teenage awkwardness to a new level, Edward had a vulnerability and spirit that won our hearts. Bourne and his performers capture this perfectly. Whether he’s twitching his scissors nervously or staring longingly at his beloved Kim, Edward is a fully rounded person - as is everyone else in Bourne’s version of suburban America. Stereotypical and comical maybe, but also fully fleshed out. Behind each pastel door created by innovative set designer Lez Brotherston lies a nuclear family carved from life - the entire cast is more co-star than corps de ballet.
Danny Elfman’s achingly beautiful score is still in place, sounding all the more poignant when coupled with falling snow and a tender pas de deux between Edward and Kim. And only Bourne could devote an entire scene to dancing topiary and not only get away with it, but make it the highlight of the show. (Kelly Apter)
Reviews
ADAPTAHQN
JANE EYRE
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 4-Sat 8 Apr
There's always the possrbrlrty that the rnadwornan in the attic r5; actually rrtatr and warrants; her confrnerrrerrt rust at; much as her looney male counter; rart. but if we discount this. Jane I we remains a hallmark rrr the hrston, or Englrsh letters. Its examination of gender roles seems as relemrrt two centuries later as rt was at the trnre
Polly Teale's adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's masterpiece rnrght be of rnterest rn itself, but rts production here by Shared Experrence. the smart. endearing and by now gurte legendary English company. is bound to excite plenty of intrigue Visually stylish and often lull of challenging ideas. this It; a company that are of interest regardless of what they're dorrrg. But if, in addition. you can‘t work out Why our hereine marries that twat in the end, this production could be helpful. (Steve Cramerr
NEW WORK THE MAGPIE AND THE
CAT Tron, Glasgow, Tue 4—Sat 8 Apr
The Tron are to be congratulated for their programme of short pieces. Sure Shots. which occur shortly before the main hOuse show each night of a major run. These amount to a wee starter before your main course. performed in the foyer, and entrrely tree — tiny live rnrnute eprphanres performed by a small cast and
COMEDY SPENDING FRANK Dundee Rep, Tue 11—Sat 15 Apr 00
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Theatre
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lonely desperation can lead a person to sinister planes lr a tr. . 'wr :' melancholrc production to mark the final chapters of fir/awn e", ‘r .' :-- : lifetime. Anna (Julie Austrn) battles for a baby that llir’,‘ seerrr. paf' M ; .': ' r The stark. clrnrcal pillars of Becky Mrnto's plastrr; set arr: a mirrTaI/g my, , setting for our shared retrrney through Anna's lrrrgerrrr; :rfe " r w r , :1, r almost audibly trckrng away. great swathes of trrrre pas, l er r,, a , x r: ‘ n her husband to rnsemrnate her at hrs (,‘onverrrerrce E’i!r{)‘,‘:’l L, . «I .' a':: ,‘r:",
she meets along the way rall played Wllh overstated gusto r,, r‘v A {law ' Barrie Hunter) Anna's trmrdrty condemns her to a §)ll’;’.‘:?)f;l/,'l / ‘ < r,» / v r: r, the race Of lrfe that warts for none.
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formation. That the dark comedy was created early in Alistair Haunt", .wrr: ', ; career is obvious: there‘s a self-conscrous arr abOut It and the hurn’. x f'eei', contrived. Tony Cownre directs wrth hrs usual flare but it's «at emery, as /u .' a" life drags on with a depressrng tedrum as hard not to get the sa'r‘e ‘eerrr '5
the entire show. (Edward Thorntonr
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