Reviewed by Mark Johnson
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
"Passion has a price"
The magical fairytale world of Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes is brought to life in a wickedly dark new production by Nancy Harris playing in The Swan Theatre at the RSC for the festive season.
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| Nikki Cheung as Karen. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
The tone is set as soon as you enter the theatre with the blood red lighting and the chequered stage with black and red colour. Tonally Ryan Day's atmospheric lighting throughout brings a sense of mystery and magic to life. The world of the show is created through an impressive visual palette with Colin Richmond's set and costume design, Day's lighting paired with the use of stage haze and Marc Teitler's score.
The story opens with the mysterious Sebastien Torkia breaking the fourth wall with 'Once Upon A Time... Happily Ever After', questioning the audience whether the happy ending would come or not. We're then presented with death and a funeral. It's the funeral of the mother of our central character Karen played by Nikki Cheung. This leaves Karen alone and in the care of a priest played by Torkia.
Enter the Nugents. The larger-than-life family adopt Karen. We meet a brilliantly wicked stepmother-type character who has good intentions even if that doesn't always show on the surface in Mairella Nugent played excellently by Dianne Pilkington and a father figure who hides behind his magic tricks in James Doherty's Bob. Pilkington does a great job of rounding out Mariella with delicious layers whilst Doherty is quite a touching performance especially as he connects with Cheung's Karen. You've also the Nugents' son Clive played by Joseph Edwards, who we meet as he is out wanting to dissect the neighbour's cat.
Karen initially arrives mute, hidden in her sadness but blossoms, especially in the relationship with Mags played by Sekuntala Ramanee. Arriving with very few possessions and showing an interest in Mariella's wardrobe, Karen is sent off into the forest to meet the shoemaker (also played by Torkia) who will pair her with some new footwear. Here she is presented with mundane shoes until a magical pair of red shoes appears in front of her. Selecting these shoes that stand out Cheung is unknowingly caught under the spell of these.
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| Dianne Pilkington as Mariella and James Doherty as Bob. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
Arriving back at the house, Mariella is hosting a dinner for the adopting society, and Karen enters wearing shoes and a new outfit. She begins to entertain the attendees with a dance only for the shoe's magical powers to take over, and Karen cannot remove them. She is placed under the spell as she wreaks havoc at the party, kicking around cutlery, knocking things over, and upsetting everyone.
In the second act, Karen is tasked with looking after Mags who has fallen ill. Only for a trip out to present her with an invite to a ball. Should she choose head or heart? Initially, she decides to stay with Mags only to be drawn by temptation and attend the ball for one hour setting a timer for herself. At the ball, she meets a Prince (Kody Mortimer) and stays beyond her time thanks to the power of the red shoes.
It's here the story takes its darkest turn. As Karen is unable to free herself from the shoes she decides the only real option is to have Clive chop off her feet. It's a brutal moment that is played in shadows behind a screen.
Now footless she has to use crutches to move, in a stunning moment of movement work by Cheung she balletically moves and once more meets the prince who now shuns her due to her appearance. Shunning her off completely as she pleads she is the same person he first met. Thus teaching her the ultimate lesson in appearances and choices that she has made.
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| Sebastian Torkia. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
The play's message of vanity and the power of our decisions to put ourselves on display is a really thought-provoking one, especially in the age of social media, where we all regularly post our daily lives. Kimberley Rampersad's production balances the dark with some wicked humour which is played superbly by all.
Cheung's outstanding performance is key to driving every forward. She is the most majestic dancer and is a great central figure. You feel her instant sorrow and the drive that the shoes give her in freeing her from sorrow and connecting her back with her mother. Carrying around her mother's red scarf is a touching reminder of the past. Great work by Torkia's mysterious character, Pilkington and Doherty as the Nugents and Ramanee's touching portrayal of Mags all help in bringing this story to life with fear and fun.
This isn't a light bright fairytale but a darker story of vanity and the choices we make in putting ourselves centre stage. The impressive visual design and direction bring it all to life with a real punchy feeling. It might not send you out on a happily ever after but it leaves you entertained and thoughtful. Offering something different, it's a dark twisted treat this festive season.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Red Shoes plays at the RSC until Saturday 19th January 2025. Tickets are available from www.rsc.org.uk
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| The cast of The Red Shoes. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
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