Choreographer Matthew Bourne takes fresh stab at ‘bigger and better’ Scissorhands ballet

The scariest hands in stage history are to slash their way back into the limelight as Matthew Bourne revives his ballet Edward Scissorhands for Christmas.

The choreographer is revamping the show, based on Tim Burton’s film with Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, nine years after its London premiere.

Dominic North, one of the original Edwards, will reprise the role. It earned him a National Dance Award in 2007.

North will share the part with Liam Mower, who made his name as a stage Billy Elliot before joining Bourne’s New Adventures company.

Bourne said he was delighted to be bringing the ballet back for a new generation — and revealed it was one of his most dangerous productions to stage.

“The scissorhands are bigger than the scissorhands in the film so they can be seen up to the upper circle,” he said. “They’re quite lightweight but by the end of the evening they feel very heavy and when you turn you have this weight flinging out from you.

“It can affect your balance. There are 20 other characters on stage and the chances of getting swiped by the scissorhands are quite high.”

Edward Scissorhands is created by a lonely inventor who dies, leaving him alone and unfinished. Edward has to find his place in a well-meaning suburban community which struggles to see past his appearance. Bourne said he was already working on “beefing up the story a little bit” for its return. “It will be richer, a bit different — bigger and better.”

The criticisms of some “who thought there wasn’t enough dancing” will be answered, although he was adamant that Scissorhands would still not be able to dance effortlessly at first entrance. “He starts as a child,” he said. “He has to learn to dance.”

Bourne said it was a lovely piece for families: “It’s a coming of age story, just the ultimate outsider story.”

He thanked Tim Burton and Danny Elfman who wrote the “glorious” score for entrusting him with bringing it to the stage, adding: “The enthusiastic reaction of audiences throughout the world seems to have justified that trust.”

Edward Scissorhands will run at Sadler’s Wells from December 2 to January 11. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.