Review by Elle
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Inspired by the 1948 film The Red Shoes, this production follows an aspiring ballerina whose life becomes a battle between personal fulfilment and artistic devotion after she joins a world‑renowned ballet company. Matthew Bourne’s adaptation, which premiered in London in December 2016, transforms the film into a full-length ballet set to music drawn from Bernard Herrmann’s film scores.
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| Photo by Johan Persson. |
Through its set design, costuming, and props, the production evokes a richly theatrical atmosphere infused with cinematic glamour, echoing both the legacy of the film and the origins of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1845 tale. Designer Lez Brotherston employs bold colours and eccentric period-inspired costumes to anchor the story in its era. Vicky Page, in particular, is framed through striking visual contrasts: the emerald gown worn at Lady Neston’s soirée and the vivid ruby-red shoes and dress in The Ballet of The Red Shoes highlight her creative vibrancy and the technicolour world she inhabits when performing. In contrast, the muted tones of the Monte Carlo scenes in Act I reflect the simplicity, and at times constraint of her life beyond the stage and within her relationship with Julian Craster.
Cordelia Braithwaite brings Vicky Page to life with remarkable nuance. Through her movement and expression, she conveys fragility, yearning, joy, and resilience. A member of New Adventures since 2013, she demonstrates not only technical excellence but also the emotional depth required for such a demanding role.
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| Photo by Johan Persson. |
Dominic North’s portrayal of Julian Craster is tender and sincere, capturing both his passion for music and his protective devotion to Vicky. Andy Monaghan, stepping into the role of Boris Lermontov, offers a performance marked by elegance and restraint. Rather than leaning into villainy, he reveals the character’s profound loneliness, making Lermontov’s obsessive behaviour toward Vicky feel tragically human. Together, North and Monaghan embody two contrasting forces in Vicky’s life and within the ballet world itself.
Special mention must go to Will Bozier and Glenn Graham, whose performances as Ivan Boleslawsky and Grischa Ljubov are both technically impressive and delightfully comedic, clearly relishing Bourne’s choreography.
Matthew Bourne’s choreographic style remains generous and ensemble-focused, ensuring every dancer has a moment to shine. His use of humour provides welcome contrast to the story’s darker emotional currents, making the production memorable and dynamic. The infusion of post‑modern ballet elements adds a theatrical flair with a touch of Tim Burton-esque whimsy, a tone that Bourne consistently handles with mastery.
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| Cordelia Braithwaite. Photo by Johan Persson. |
This revival is a genuine pleasure to witness, an elegant love letter to dance and a poignant exploration of the power art holds over the lives of those devoted to it. A production one could happily watch again and again.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Red Shoes plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 7th February 2026. Tickets are available from https://trch.co.uk/
The tour continues until Saturday 9th May. For tour dates and venues, visit https://www.new-adventures.net/the-red-shoes
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