Unveiling the Magic: A Conversation with Edward Scissorhands’ Assistant Prop Master

The world of theater is a realm of enchantment, where stories come to life through the collaborative efforts of countless individuals. Among these unsung heroes are the props masters and their assistants, who meticulously curate and maintain the objects that breathe authenticity into each performance. Recently, we had the distinct pleasure of engaging in an insightful conversation with Steve Barikian, the Assistant Prop Person for the touring company of Matthew Bourne’s mesmerizing musical adaptation of Edward Scissorhands. Join us as we delve into the intricate world of stage props and discover the challenges, triumphs, and sheer dedication required to bring this iconic production to life night after night.

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant production that captivates audiences worldwide. The unique choreography, evocative set design, and, of course, the iconic Edward Scissorhands himself, all contribute to the show’s enduring appeal. However, behind the dazzling spectacle lies a team of dedicated professionals working tirelessly to ensure that every detail is perfect, from the grandest set pieces to the smallest, most unassuming props. Steve Barikian, as the Assistant Prop Person, plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of these essential elements.

The Role of a Props Manager: More Than Just Objects

For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of stage productions, the role of a props manager might seem deceptively simple. However, as Steve explains, it’s far more complex than merely handling objects. “Well, actually I am the Assistant Prop person on this show; Andrea Sitler is the Head of the department,” he clarifies. “This show actually opened in London at Sadler Wells Theatre on November 23, 2005, before embarking on a UK tour which also stopped in Japan and Korea. So basically all of the props were already created and just shipped to us before we started the American run of the Show. The job entails maintaining the quality of the props used in the show, which may sound pretty basic, but if you could see the way some of the pieces have to travel in the truck, you would understand that it is no easy task.”

The props in Edward Scissorhands are not mere decorations; they are integral to the storytelling, helping to create the atmosphere and immerse the audience in the fantastical world of the play. From the delicate Christmas ornaments to the menacing scissorhands themselves, each object has a specific purpose and requires careful attention to detail.

The Challenges of Maintaining Iconic Props

Maintaining the quality and integrity of the props in a touring production presents a unique set of challenges. The constant travel, varying venue conditions, and rigorous performance schedule can all take their toll on even the most durable objects. Steve sheds light on some of the specific difficulties they encounter with the Edward Scissorhands props.

“The biggest headaches are the Christmas Tree and, of course, The Hands,” Steve reveals. “The tree is too tall to store on a truck, standing straight, so we have to lay it on its face every time that we travel the show. I’m sure you can imagine how great it looks when we take it back off after it has spent a 22 hour drive resting on its branches. The ornaments break, the branches are crushed…it’s a mess. The hands, on the other hand, travel nice and neatly in their own box-but they get their wear and tear every time one of the boys puts his hands in them. From seeing the show, you can imagine the beating that those hands take every night. A lot of pressure is put on to them so a lot of upkeep is required to keep them working properly.”

The Christmas tree, a symbol of warmth and tradition, becomes a logistical nightmare during transport. The delicate ornaments and fragile branches are constantly at risk of damage, requiring meticulous care and frequent repairs. And then there are the scissorhands themselves, the very essence of the Edward Scissorhands character. These intricate and potentially dangerous props require constant maintenance to ensure they function properly and safely throughout each performance.

Logistics and Time Commitment: A Grueling Schedule

Beyond the challenges of maintaining the props themselves, the logistics of a touring stage production are incredibly demanding. The crew must coordinate the transportation of sets, costumes, and equipment from city to city, and then quickly set up and take down the entire production in each new venue. Steve provides a glimpse into the grueling schedule they follow.

“This show closed in Toronto on Saturday, April 7th at 10pm. We started breaking the set apart and loading the trucks at 10:30pm. We finished packing all of the trucks at 5:00am Sunday and headed straight to the airport in order to catch a 6:30am flight to Saint Paul. We got in to Saint Paul around noon and had the rest of the day to ourselves. Then Monday morning at 8am, we started loading the show into the Ordway Center. The load in took from 8am-7pm on Monday with a 1-hour dinner break. Then we came back in the next morning at 8am [and] worked til 1pm. We took a 1 hour lunch break from 1pm-2pm and then came back to prepare for a 3pm dress rehearsal. So basically it takes 15 hours to set the whole thing up, and about 6 and a half to take it down.”

The sheer amount of time and effort required to set up and take down a production of this scale is staggering. The crew works long hours, often through the night, to ensure that everything is ready for each performance. Their dedication and hard work are essential to the success of the show, even though they often go unnoticed by the audience.

Fix-It-On-The-Fly: The Props Master’s Secret Weapon

In the fast-paced world of live theater, unexpected problems can arise at any moment. A prop might break, a costume might tear, or a set piece might malfunction. In these situations, the props master must be resourceful and quick-thinking, able to find creative solutions to keep the show running smoothly. Steve reveals his go-to fix-it-on-the-fly product of choice.

“Well, hot glue is incredible, but it takes too much time to heat up. If a piece breaks in one scene and then needs to go out again 2 minutes later, there is no time to let the gun heat up. So tape is actually my-fix-it-on-the-fly product of choice. The most distressing repair is always going to be THE HANDS. In order to fix the hands you need to go through a process called brazing [which] is a process of adjoining two pieces of metal. It requires the heating of two pieces of metal to extreme temperatures while melting a lighter metal alloy onto the pieces. The lighter metal melts easily but once the heat is taken off it hardens to about 1/3 of the strength as the metal that it has joined.”

While hot glue has its uses, tape is the ultimate quick fix for a variety of minor repairs. However, when it comes to the scissorhands, more specialized techniques are required. Brazing, a process of joining two pieces of metal using heat, is often necessary to repair broken fingers or blades. This is a delicate and time-consuming process that requires precision and expertise.

“The most tedious part of brazing the hands, though, is having to strip the hands of each handle and blade every time a finger breaks and then reattaching them all after the finger is fixed. The high temperature torch would melt the handles and the blades very quickly, so obviously they need to be stripped from the hands before I can take a torch to the metal. So in order to fix 1 finger you have to strip 5 fingers of their blades and handles just to reattach them all again 5 minutes later.”

The process of repairing the scissorhands is a testament to the dedication and attention to detail that the props team brings to their work. Each repair requires a significant investment of time and effort, but the result is a prop that is both functional and safe for the performers to use.

A Souvenir to Remember: The Props Master’s Wish List

After spending countless hours working with the props in Edward Scissorhands, it’s only natural to develop a fondness for certain objects. We asked Steve which item from the production he would “borrow” for his own personal use or enjoyment.

“Hmmm… tough question. The obvious answer would be the hands. I do not know if I would say for ‘personal use and enjoyment’ but I would like a pair for nostalgia-and also how cool would it be to just have a pair of Scissorhands! BUT -For some reason the “Edward Leg” that is attached at the beginning of the show always amuses me. It seems like a lot of work went in to creating this leg- a knee like joint is actually in the leg to make it move and look as human as possible. But you never see the leg bend or anything… The Inventor just holds it up and sews it on. So that piece amuses me. Also when I’m bored sometimes I’ll just sit on the beaten up couch and bend the leg…I don’t know why I just told you that–since it is a completely random, time consuming thing to do. YES, Backstage Really Is That Exciting!!! Most of the props in this show are just basic furniture or regular things that you can buy from the store. So I would say that if I could take anything with me (AND I AM NOT GOING TO), it would be a pair of the hands, but if I were to take any two things, it would be the hands and the Edward Leg.”

While the scissorhands are the obvious choice, Steve also expresses a fondness for the “Edward Leg,” a seemingly insignificant prop that holds a special meaning for him. This quirky choice highlights the personal connection that the props team develops with the objects they work with, even the ones that might seem mundane to an outsider.

(I think, technically, that’s three things, Steve!)

Discover More About Edward Scissorhands

For those eager to experience the magic of Edward Scissorhands for themselves, be sure to visit the tour’s official website for information on show dates and tickets. You can also find captivating behind-the-scenes photos from the Edward Scissorhands touring company via Flickr.

The world of theater is a collaborative art form, and the props team plays a vital role in bringing the story to life. Their dedication, expertise, and attention to detail are essential to the success of productions like Edward Scissorhands. So, the next time you attend a live performance, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and hard work that goes into creating the props that help to transport you to another world.