"Edward Scissorhands" by Matthew Bourne's New Adventures

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I saw this gorgeous ballet the last time it came to Nottingham's Theatre Royal, back in 2015, so jumped at the chance of seeing this beautiful and whimsical ballet again.

Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies.

In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?

It would be very easy to make comparisons with Johnny Depp's film characterization of Edward, but even though the character and story are the same, you soon forget a certain Mr Depp because Liam Mower, who played Edward here, is instantly hypnotizing.

Every time Liam appears on stage you are drawn to him like a magnet to those sharp, metal hands of his. He has great stage presence and the dancing is en point, but then again Liam has an impressive history of dance and ballet based theatre work in his wake, most notably playing Billy in the original cast of "Billy Elliot".

Edward Scissorhands is a love story at heart and his longing to be accepted and loved for who he is, is portrayed beautifully, drawing comparisons with Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". After all, both gothic characters were created from bits of other people's body parts, sewn together to make a monster, but with that inner desire to be loved, and being very misunderstood.

It's a large cast and there is always something going on in all four quarters of the stage. The cast are among some of the best dancers in the world because that is what Mr Bourne brings out of them with his imaginative choreography, Creating laughter and sadness through his work and the dancers channelling of his ideas.

The ensemble work is electrifying and at the other end of the scale the solo and duet dances are tender and at times emotional, great shades of black and white. Characterization wise, all the main characters are different and entertaining in various ways. Take the hussy vamp who, as soon as her husband is out of the way, drags in the nearest hunk, and reels in Edward as well.

There is her "theatrically camp" son, all "eyes n teeth" and always performing, the over protective boyfriend of the girl who Edward falls for in a big way, and then the over excitable young son of the family who took Edward into their homes. The gay couple remind me of the same sex couple in American shows like "American Dad" and "Modern Family". So many varied characters all having a story to tell.

The sets are just as magical as you would expect with this fairy tale; swiftly placed and amazingly deceptive, especially the neighbouring houses. The costumes are just as amazing as well, really creating that 1950's fashion vibe. The topiary characters make me want to go out and buy a privet hedge and a pair of hedge cutters.

One section of the set shows three pictures of cheer-leaders on Edward's bedroom wall. One of the pictures suddenly appears to come to life, as if in animation, leading to a dance scene involving all three as they all appear in his bedroom. Both sets and costumes are designed by the incredibly talented Lez Brotherston.

Duncan McLean's projection design creates a 3D effect with the rain and the snow and the horizon aspect, creating real depth to the scenes.

"Edward Scissorhands" features Liam Mower and Stephen Murray as Edward Scissorhands throughout the tour, with Katrina Lyndon and Ashley Shaw as Kim Boggs. Kerry Biggin, Sophia Hurdley, Etta Murfitt and Mami Tomotani as Peg Boggs and Glenn Graham - who I believe is a Bulwell born lad - and Dominic North as Bill Boggs. Benjamin Barlow Bazeley and Ben Brown play Jim Upton with Stephanie Billers, Nicole Kabera and Ashley Shaw as Joyce Monroe. James Lovell, Luke Murphy and Reece Causton as her husband, George.

Completing the cast are Andrew Ashton, Jade Copas, Jamie Duncan-Campbell, Anna Maria de Freitas, Perreira de Jesus Franque, Molly Shaw-Downie, Megan Ferguson, Savannah Ffrench, Christina Gibbs, Aristide Lyons, Xholindi Muci, Barnaby Quarendon, Edwin Ray, Holly Saw, Nikolas Shikkis, Xavier Sotiya and Carrie Willis.

Devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne. The thing about Sir Matthew is that everything, unless you've seen one of his productions before, is unexpected. The music used is unexpected; definitely not what you'd expect to hear in a ballet. The choreography is not what you'd expect from a ballet. The costumes are a very long way away from tutus and ballet pumps; in fact I didn't see one set of ballet pumps. This shows just how much Matthew Bourne has changed the image of modern ballet, but still retains the beauty, elegance and special story-telling that ballet has at it's core.

For some reason whenever I come out of seeing a Matthew Bourne show, I always feel so incredibly relaxed.

Lighting designed by Howard Harrison, and there's a beautiful lighting moment - among many - where there's a music box with a ballet dancer inside, up lit from below, which creates a shadow that looks life size onto the bedroom wall, making it seem as if there's another dancer in the scene. The Christmas scenes are incredibly colourful and make you feel festive to the core, while the cemetery scenes are gloomy, dark and gothic.

Sound designed by Paul Groothuis; perfectly balanced and at the perfect listening level.

I promise that you will be so enthralled by this production that, like myself, the interval will come far too early for you and will leave you wanting more, anticipating the second act.

If you ever thought that ballet is not for you, you need to see this production because you'll soon change your mind. Matthew Bourne and New Adventures will change your mind!

"Edward Scissorhands" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 2 March.