Based, of course, on Tim Burton's 1990 film starring Johnny Depp, Matthew Bourne's danced version of Edward Scissorhands tells the same story of the outsider with huge scissors instead of hands. Bourne has given us a prologue to show us how this unfortunate came into being. Made by a scientist in his Gothic laboratory, with thunder and lightning crashing and flashing outside, Edward is intended as a replacement for the man's dead son. But the scientist is mugged in his lab, and dies, leaving Edward not quite finished, and with the scissors that his creator might have intended to replace with real hands.

This disconcerting figure, with his jerky, not quite human movements, arrives in a pretty suburban town in 1950s America. Bewildered and lonely, he is taken in by the Boggs family, falls in love with daughter Kim, becomes a success by using his scissors to create miracles of topiary a dancing corps de ballet of clipped bushes is a highlight of the show and to become a successful hairdresser. However, a danger to himself and to others, he eventually makes one slip that leads the townspeople to turn on him and drive him away.

On Tuesday, Sam Archer (pictured) made a superb job of Edward (as does Richard Winsor, who will be alternating in the role). Ranging from astonished vulnerability to the heights of passion, it's a dream of a part that makes huge demands on these dancers both dramatically and technically those hands have to do many complex tasks, and they could do a lot of damage if not controlled!

There is a lovely fantasy duet in which Edward, with real hands, partners Kim, in which he is able to dance freely at last. Kerry Biggin is very affecting as Kim, the perky little cheerleader who eventually sees through the daunting exterior to the sweet man within, while Bourne, greatly helped by Lez Brotherston's boxy little houses, sends up America's suburbia in a series of hugely enjoyable dance sequences, and hilarious characterisations.

Edward Scissorhands continues at the Wycombe Swan until tomorrow and can be seen at Milton Keynes Theatre (0870 060 6652) from May 9.