I have long been an admirer Sir Matthew Bourne’s productions, ever since I attended my first performance in 2009. His latest show, The Red Shoes, fully lived up to my expectations and has and is my new favourite among his works. It is absolutely amazing from beginning to end.

Based on the 1948 film of the same name by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and using music from Bernard Herrmann, arranged by Terry Davies, The Red Shoes is a captivating and entrancing story of love, jealousy and art. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the story or the film; there is no needs for words as the choreography gets the narrative and message across.

The story powerfully explores art, love, and obsession, focussing on a character forced to choose between giving up their greatest passion or sacrificing the love of their life.

The Red Shoes tells the story of Victoria Page (Cordelia Braithwaite) a ballet dancer who is discovered by Boris Lermontov (Andy Monaghan) and becomes a member of his touring ballet group.

As well as Victoria, Lermontov also discovers composer Julian Craster (Dominic North). Lermontov is a strict disciplinarian who insists that his dancers focus solely on ballet. All other, less important interests, should not interfere with their commitment to dancing. Julian writes a new ballet around the Hans Christian Andersen story The Red Shoes with Victoria in the lead role. The ballet is an instant success and as the curtain comes down, Lermontov realises that Victoria and Julian have become lovers.

Lez Brotherston deserves an award for his amazing set design based around a highly moveable proscenium arch and theatrical curtains that move around the stage changing and shaping spaces. It transforms from backstage to front, a beach at Monte Carlo and most effectively during the second act when the curtain is used to emphasise the difference between Lermontov’s luxurious Monte Carlo office and the hovel shared by Victoria and Julian in London. The costumes are stunning and truly evocative of the era.

The quality of the dancing using a variety of styles was exemplary. The music often feels familiar and works with the choreography to bring every nuance of Victoria’s predicament. There is a also a surprising amount of humour with a comical pastiche of the old music hall act Wilson, Keppel and Betty.

Mathew Bourne has done it again!! First class entertainment.

Five Stars.

Reviewed by Nina Gardner.

Photo credit Johan Persson.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/matthew-bournes-production-of-the-red-shoes/new-victoria-theatre/

Cast (varies with venue and date)

Boris Lermontov Andy Monaghan

Victoria Page Cordelia Braithwaite

Julian Craster Dominic North

Irina Boronskaya Katrina Lyndon

Ivan Boleslawsky Leonardo McCorkindale

Grisha Ljubov Reece Causton

Nadia Rosanna Lydsey

Svetlana Christina Rebecca Gibbs

Beryl Shakeira Ward

Pamela Isabella Chandler

Mikail Jarrod McWilliams

Anton Matthew Potulski

Serge Kingston Taylor

Frederic Tome Barnes-Standing

Lady Neston Molly Shaw-Downie

Sergei Ratov  Cameron Flynn

Dimitri  Danny Reubens