Bourne's Edward Scissorhands to Receive U.S. Premiere at the Ahmanson in Dec.

By: Feb. 23, 2006
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The upcoming US tour of Matthew Bourne's dance piece Edward Scissorhands, based on Tim Burton's gothic fantasia, will first come to L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre from December 12th through 31st, 2006, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.

A few days ago it was announced that the show, which ran at London's Sadler's Wells from November 22nd, 2005 through February 5th, 2006, will be seen at American venues in L.A, San Francisco, St. Louis and other cities in 2007, according to Bourne's website. The director-choreographer has also stated that a Broadway run is not impossible if the tour is a success. No dates or venues have been announced for the other engagements.

Edward Scissorhands will not be the first Bourne dance piece to be seen at the Ahmanson Theatre. In 1997, his acclaimed Swan Lake had its American premiere at the theatre, and other Bourne shows have also been seen there. In addition, the new US tour of Swan Lake will come to the Ahmanson for two weeks in March.

Edwards Scissorhands tells through dance the story that the 1990 Johnny Depp-starrer first unspooled: that of a socially-crippled man with scissors for hands who becomes fascinated with a young woman (played by Winona Ryder in the film). Dancers Richard Winsor and Sam Archer (both of whom have appeared in 3 other Bourne shows) switch off in the gothically-attired title role, while Bourne's frequent collaborators Scott Ambler and Etta Murfitt will are also on hand for the production (as associate directors, with Murfitt co-starring in the piece). Terry Davies, with whom Bourne worked on The Car Man and Play Without Words, adapted his music from Danny Elfman's film score (which complemented Caroline Thompson's screenplay).

Edward Scissorhands' design team comprises Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Howard Harrison (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).

One of the most successful choreographers working today, Bourne takes his inspiration from films (The Car Man, based upon The Postman Always Rings Twice, Play Without Words, based on Joseph Losey's The Servant), and from classics (Nutcracker!, Highland Fling). His Swan Lake was a smash on both sides of the Atlantic, and picked up two 1999 Tonys, with Bourne garnering the awards for Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical; the show stirred up some controversy, too, regarding dance pieces and the Tonys. As for his musical theatre credits, Bourne choreographed Trevor Nunn's revivals of My Fair Lady and South Pacific, as well as co-directing Mary Poppins with Richard Eyre.

For more information on the show, visit www.edwardscissorhands.co.uk. 



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