Edward Scissorhands, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Sadler's Wells

Matthew Bourne is a self-confessed film buff, and you can detect the influence of certain films and filmic processes in many of his works. In certain cases he's gone further and adapted well-known films to works of dance-theatre. This was the case with, for example, the classic The Red Shoes and also Edward Scissorhands.

The latter, created in 2005, has only its second UK revival this year, having toured the world in the interim, and will be on stage at Sadler's Wells for the whole of the coming festive season, offering a welcome alternative to the usual Christmas fare.

Tim Burton's gothic 1990 film told the story of the boy fashioned by an eccentric inventor who dies prematurely leaving Edward with big scissors for hands. How the denizens of the nearby all-American small town interact with this kind, gentle, but still uniquely strange boy is the core of the story, which, in the unlikely event you haven't seen the film, we must warn you is bitter-sweet.

It's not difficult to see how Edward Scissorhands would appeal to Matthew Bourne; and he's turned the film into a ballet which has met with general acclaim: 'stunning!' said The Observer; 'enchanting' was The Times verdict, while WhatsOnStage praised its abundant 'wit and invention.'

Here's a taster:

Matrhew Bourne's preference for heightened reality sits well with the dancers of his New Adventures company, where veterans like Etta Murfitt, now the company's associate artistic director, but still dancing, mingle on stage with newcomers, some of whom came through New Adventures talent development programmes.

The lead role of Edward will be performed by Liam Mower and Stephen Murray, with the co-starring role of Kim Boggs, his love interest, split between Katrina Lyndon and Ashley Shaw. Incidentally, the originator of this role was Etta Murfitt.

The ballet is set to new music and arrangements by Terry Davies based on themes from the motion picture score composed by Danny Elfman.

Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands is indeed a treat for all the family and with an extended run at Sadler's Wells there's no good reason why you wouldn't go and take all your nearest and dearest.

Book here