Northern Ballet have an excellent track record of adapting stories and this one was no different. The operative word being adapted. You will not see a raging Gaston or uppity Cogsworth in this production. This is ballet. This is class. I understood this before buying tickets so it wasn't a shock, otherwise I might have been a teensy bit disappointed...

The story felt familiar but with a contemporary twist. The arrogant Prince had a beastly spell cast upon him. Belle's father was literally stripped of house and home thanks to her sisters shopping habits. Near the family's new Forest shack, their Father suffered an attack from the Beast, so Belle sacrificed herself to save him. And voila, the Beauty met the Beast and slow romance ensued. 

This is what is fantastic about Northern Ballet. They nail the acting within a scene. You know exactly what is going on. Who needs words when expression and choreography can do it with much more beauty and drama. Pictures tell a thousand words remember. 

And it did warm my heart to see little nods to the original story. For example, Belle was always reading a book, the Beast had no table manners and they kept the endearing moment the Beast sipped tea from a saucer. 


As a huge Disney fan, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed this refreshing take on Beauty and the Beast. Northern Ballet always deliver such beautiful productions that are full of life and character and open up the world of Ballet to a new maybe unfamiliar audience. It successfully swept me away to a far away place where my inner child lives. Where happy endings come true and true love isn't so unbelievable after all.

It's definitely got me splashing for joy in anticipation of their next Disney production, The Little Mermaid!

Keep track of Northern Ballets work here https://northernballet.com/

Check out my vlog to see what unexpected thing happened in the interval! https://goo.gl/8SxrX0

• The dancers were great actors, with a gripping good vs evil vampire storyline and a feisty Aurora who didn't fall in love with a prince (yipee)
• The set and costumers were grand, gothic and magical. 
• The world class dancing provided a tantalising mix of styles, pace and energy.

To be honest, the whole performance was incredible as is all of Matthew Bourne's work. But, no matter how interesting I may have found it, my Disney hard-wired brain has ultimately decided you can't beat the classic.

*The script is not an excerpt from a scene in the performance. I wrote it using the storyline simply as inspiration.

One of the most famous ballets. One of the most famous songs. One of the most famous stories. Let me describe The Nutcracker in an oh so nontraditional way. I warn you, my take is not so magical and pleasant...


It's the night before Christmas and lots of very wealthy family and friends are giddy. The children giddy through excitement and the adults no doubt through the help of some tipples. Their tree is the size of Mount Everest, overpowering the sitting room and screams 'look how rich and respected we are'. I'm sure I can even hear the chant 'ner ner ner ner nerr' but that might be an exaggeration.

There's a young girl who's clearly not happy with her sea of presents circulating Mount Everest and begins admiring the ladies in the room, with their expensive frocks and jewellery. She even goes as far as rubbing their fabrics on her face and I'll leave it at that. She may need some therapy.

She has a brother who is most certainly the tyrant of the family, constantly teasing her and causing trouble. I suspect he is rebelling from his strict and mannered lifestyle. He's a rebel without a cause, as he does not realise just how lucky he has it, so I immediately dislike the cut of his jib and foresee a future with short spans in prison and long spans in rehab.

Now if this family wasn't looking dysfunctional enough a strange man arrives. He looks dodgy, and certainly has a few restraining orders against him. He brings some more gifts inside a large box for the bratty children, because like I said, that sea of presents is less the Pacific Ocean and more the Atlantic. I know, right!

Now this is where it gets weird as some human sized dolls jump out of the box and begin to dance. They're not the inflatable kind, which is surprising given the strangers nature. The children are then presented with the Nutcracker - dun dun dunnn. A wooden doll that can crack nuts. The brother and sister quickly fight over it and break it, because they clearly haven't been taught to share. They moan even though it's their own fault, and the party looks to be over. It's taken a broken doll to piss everyone off. How obscene.

Now this is where it gets really weird. This stranger begins to cast some spells. He thinks he's a wizard. Maybe his restraining order is against Hermione or something? The young girl returns downstairs, and I keep shouting stranger danger! She thinks this man is a magician, but I believe he has spiked the girls drink as she begins to see the toys and dolls come to life. A wave of beautiful Arabian princesses, Russian cossacks, French ballet dancers and even exotic flowers manifest in front of her eyes.

Once she's danced the night away and had a trip of a lifetime, she retells the story to her parents, who laugh off her stupidity. When really they should be consoling her and directing her to Talk to Frank for drugs counselling.

The irresponsible parents take their damaged child to bed and leave the strange man in their home. The End.

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I'm sorry if I've ruined this story for you.

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Northern Ballet created a magical performance as always. The first act was compelling and led the story where as the second act became a showcase of choreography.  I was transported into a beautiful little bubble that protected me from reality and immersed me into fantasy. Top marks and a top festive treat.

http://northernballet.com/the-nutcracker

I've heard rumours of this place.

This was our lets-go-crazy-and-buy-tickets-for-the-next-leaflet-we-get-oh-look-this-ones-about-some-Korean-dancing-wanna-try-that-why-not-it's-the-fringe moment.

We had no idea what to expect. But the flyer looked colourful and the flyer(er?) was really enthusiastic so we headed on down to George Square. We were not disappointed.

It was a real treat getting to watch a show that was so culturally alien to us - was it accurate to Korean traditions? I haven't the slightest but to an untrained eye it was spot on...  I was mesmerised by the simplicity of the waves of cloth and boat of twine then brought back to reality with the powerful drums.

Now, the drums. The drummers were the highlight. As my partner said, they have 'mad-skills'. He's 26 with the vocabulary of a 14 year old boy but really, I couldn't think of a better word. Please watch out for the woman with the biggest drums who has a solo - she was a star and pulled my focus much of the time.

The singing and dancing swallowed me up into a cocoon of joy. That sentence sounds ridiculous but I really was swept away into this show. The energy. The talent. The costumes. The singing. The dancing. The drumming. The wonder. The beauty. I'm gushing like a 14 year old girl - maybe my partner and I are more a like than I think - but it's hard to find a bad word to say.

I guess 'the paradise' idea was slightly lost on me but still, I would have loved to see this show on a bigger stage, with a bigger production and a bigger budget. I think it'd be a real spectacle. Leodo was the hidden gem in our Edinburgh Fringe crown.

We'd never have chosen the show if that kid with a flyer didn't promote it. Three cheers and a jagerbomb to the unsung heroes of the Fringe. The moral of the story:
Don't be rude to the flyer(ers?), they are people who have feelings too - very 'in your face' feelings but still, they may just pass on a flyer to what becomes your favourite show of the fringe. The end.

5-30 August. Assembly, George Square Studios (venue 17), 14:00
A regular show at the Virgin Media Half Price Hut!

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/leodo-the-paradise

IMAGE CREDIT http://goo.gl/XU74F6

I'm a fringe virgin. And an Edinburgh one. So this festival was a complete leap into the unknown. I'd not been given a talk off my parents, my friends had never done it and google is like that mate who has apparently done everything. So myself, and the man I love just went for it. It was a bit of a muddle, quite overwhelming and electronic devices played a major part but we came out of the other end, exhausted and aching yes but rather exhilarated.

So, to make your first time and my next time a little easier, I've put together some notes on all aspects of the experience...

Travel 
I hate buses but I have to say in Edinburgh they were extremely regular and ran until 4am. If you're lucky enough to stay central, then everything is within walking distance.

• Single Ticket £1.50 
• Unlimited Day Pass £4
• After 6pm get a day and night ticket for £3.50 - last buses around 3am
• Download the Transport for Edinburgh app and buy your tickets online

Food
It's everywhere, all kinds and all prices.

• Lunch at Noodle'N'Ice on South Bridge was a highlight
• We had posh afternoon tea at The Dome - beautiful and tasty but prepare for the steep bill
• There's tonnes of street vans for a bite whilst changing venues
• Find lots of cheeky discount vouchers on available discount apps

Well, that's everything I can think of. I have finally broken my Fringe virginity after 25 years and can't wait to do it again - next time I might try it with someone new or even involve a few people ;) Either way I'll be better at it next time and will no doubt learn some new tricks.

Edward Scissorhands is an incredible man with an incredible story. He has seen much acclaim due to his unusual, often unbelievable past and of course the cult film adaptation of his life. Edward still lives on his own, peering down on the love of his life from afar, with no plans to return to the limelight. However, I scooped an exclusive and rare meeting with the man himself, to discuss Matthew Bournes interpretation of his life story.

Image Credit: http://nicetogeekyou.com/2014/04/19/burton-ballet/

Entry into the, what most people have come to call, castle on a hill was strangely uplifting. You would assume that I would encounter a dark and dreary estate to reflect a somewhat tragic story. Yet the grounds were leafy green, the hedges were neatly sculptured and the sun was suspended just to the right of the mansion gifting light around the grounds. The gates had recently been reinforced thanks to charitable donations aiming to protect what has become a national treasure. The mansion itself however remained outdated and broken, almost capturing this mans spirit. I was ushered into a large bare space, seated on a green leather couch and asked to turn off all electronic equipment. With my note pad and pen in hand, Edward Scissorhands shuffled into the room, stood no more than 2 metres away and waited.

Hi Edward, thank you for your time today, myself and the readers are extremely excited to here from such an iconic figure.
Edward shifts his head to the right.

I know you have limited time today and I only have a few questions regarding the stage adaptation of your life. I smile nervously, hoping for a response.
Edward doesn't move.

I shift in my seat and begin, understanding this was to be brief and to the point. It has been a long time since you have allowed someone access to your story. Why did you agree to this interpretation?
The film was like a documentary. A lot of people saw it. Yet it was a long time ago. The time felt good. Good to retell my story. In a new way.

What do you gain from telling your story either through film or stage?
People understand. I am not a monster. I am not. He shifts his head back to centre.

Matthew Bourne left you with example video extracts expressing your story through dance. Was it the evidence of a powerful show that drew you to agree or the impressive backlog of work from Matthew himself?
Both.

He was a man of few words. It felt rude to ask for more yet... Could you explain a little further?
Matthew is a fan. Sending kind letters and invites to his shows. I know a lot are popular. I see emotion in his movement. He shifts his weight forward very slightly. This is stronger than words.

I swiftly move into my next question knowing it is much sought after information. His version differs slightly from the film. Which one truly reflects your life, if any?
Edward stands upright and stares wide eyed into the distance. I wait a couple of seconds hoping for an answer. Many people have speculated about the true events of his past. How much is actually divulged? Does he alter sections to conceal his true hurt? Some more negative people say he fabricates stories - that he is a fantasist and recluse. It looks like we will not get an answer today. I move on hoping I haven't damaged his engagement in this meeting.

Edward. His gaze falls onto me. What part of the show do you enjoy most?
The neighbours. You see lots. Different types of families. I met a lot of people. Nice and. And not so. 

It is definitely a very colourful and exciting section. You met a lot of interesting people who are brought to life on stage through simple yet precise choreography. What do you want the people who watch this show to experience?
He lifts his chin, closes his eyes and releases a breath. Life. 

With that final line, Edward lifts the right side of his mouth upwards for only a fleeting second but remains to be a moment that will last in my mind. I smile. Thank you.

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Edward was endearing, innocent and uplifting from the moment he shuffled on stage. All of the impressive scenes from the film were captured in moments of magic. It's true, you forget words aren't present as only movement takes you on this emotional journey. Finally, the iconic and powerful music is sprinkled throughout the show and is guaranteed to give you goose pimples.

If there is any show to watch this year, it's this one and it doesn't come around often. It's as rare and beautiful as a diamond.

*Obviously the interview is fictional.
** But the show is truly amazing.

Follow this link to see if Matthew Bournes Edward Scissorhands is touring near you: http://new-adventures.net/edward-scissorhands/tour-dates