Lorna Irvine reviews a 'fun, if a touch insubstantial' production.
Tim Burton's original 1990 film is a charmingly subversive fairytale, an extended metaphor for Burton's outsider status as an animator in Disneyland. Matthew Bourne's adaptation is not.
Bourne may have smoothed off any rough edges, instead playing with the early rock 'n' roll cliches, but it is not without its charm. Saranne Curtain is the most fascinating presence here as Joyce Monroe, the town cougar. She nails it, reminiscent of Mink Stole in full Praying Mantis mode, having fun with half the male neighbourhood - and a washing machine on spin cycle.
Lez Brotherston's set design is gorgeous—a Scooby-Doo episode as directed by Edward Gorey: gauzy, with dancing foliage and a lovely rendering of Edward's Gothic castle. The suburban houses look great in their Toy Town uniformity.There are typically Bourne moments of humour absent from the film: a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors or Edward flicking the V's at horrible Jim.
The shimmying, Hellzapoppin' ensemble are fantastic, as tight as Edward's S&M costume during the Boggs' barbecue, and of course Terry Davies' music, including rockabilly numbers as well as Danny Elfman's original ethereal choir main theme, is perfect.
But the overwhelming sense is that of a production trapped by its own giddiness, racing through a narrative with little dramatic tension to sustain it- the pacing is a little off. If only shears had been taken to the overlong barbecue and Christmas Ball scenes.
The frothy milkshake colours of pistachio, vanilla and strawberry, both in set and costume, suit a production that is unconcerned with the poignant liquorice tang of the original, right down to the snow resembling icing sugar.
Fun, if a touch insubstantial.