The Red Shoes – A new classic from Matthew Bourne
A new classic ballet came to life last night, as Matthew Bourne’s version of Powell and Pressburger’s ‘The Red Shoes’ came vividly to life on the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome. The beautiful haunting story of dancer Victoria Page, and how she is destroyed by her talent and love, is one of the great movies, and now, in the hands of a superb company, the tale that started life as a rather brutal fairy story is recreated for the stage, and shows once again why Matthew Bourne is rightly recognised as a genius of modern dance.
The Red Shoes is a story of love, jealousy, obsession and determination. Aristocratic Victoria Page longs to be a dancer, and is invited to join an established company by Boris Lermontov, traveling with them to Monte Carlo. When the prima ballerina Irina is injured, Lermontov decides to thrust Victoria forward as the star of a new ballet that he has commissioned talented Composer Julian Craster to write. The ballet is ‘The Red Shoes’ and it is a great success, with Vicky and Julian falling in love. But Lermontov also has feelings for Vicky, and his jealousy forces Julian and Vicky to return to London. There Vicky is forced to confront her feelings – to stay with Julian and abandon her hopes of being a major star, or returning to ‘The Red Shoes’. Her decision leads to a horrifying tragedy.
The dance and characterisations of The Red Shoes are just stunning. Ashley Shaw is a wonderful Victoria, her dancing is filled with grace and passion in the early scenes, and she breaks your heart in the closing moments. Sam Archer brings Anton Walbrook to mind in the Boris Lermontov role – the arrogant, yet charming persona shines through beautifully, but he also shows softer side in the pas de deux with Victoria in Monte Carlo. Chris Trenfield is great as Julian, I love his initial scene where he is pretending to conduct an orchestra, showing the passion and determination that will bring him success. His scenes with Shaw are tender and loving, bringing romance to the proceedings.
The backstage scenes are incredibly staged, with the curtain twisting to show front of house and behind the scenes, and I loved how unengaged Anjali Mehra was as Irina during the rehearsals, contrasting beautifully with Victoria mimicking the dance with verve and beauty off stage. Another brilliant scene was the hilarious music hall scene, with the brilliant sand dancers delighting the audience with their funny, rude dance.
Of course, the crowning glory of The Red Shoes is The Red Shoes, the ballet within the ballet that makes Victoria a star. Based on the folk tale, the power of the shoes makes the wearer unable to stop dancing. This is so beautifully staged, helped by the incredible set and the soaring music of Bernard Herrmann, best known for his Hitchcock scores, and always able to create a mood with a sinister edge. When the imagined audience gives a rousing round of applause for the ballet, the real audience matches it, it is simply sublime.
The Red Shoes will be delighting audiences for many years to come, it is a thing of real beauty.
The Red Shoes
Birmingham Hippodrome
Wednesday 8th – Saturday 11th February
Click here for information
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20 Comments
Lynne Harper
This sounds like a fabulous musical, I want a pair of red shoes myself now. Definitely sounds like a show that has many years ahead with masses of success x
Stephanie Merry
Oh wow this sounds like an amazing musical – I’d love to go and see it! x
Jodie Whitham
It sounds like such a beautiful story. I would love to see something like this x
Sarah Bailey
The plot of this ballet sounds mesmerizing and from your photos, the ballet itself looks very beautiful. It seems to have a very talented cast and it looks to be a wonderful show.
Danasia
This sounds awesome. I’ve always wanted to see ballet performed live in person!
Healthy & Psyched
Another great review. I love your writing style.
I can’t believe it’s on for such a short time. I would have been tempted to see it if it was on longer.
fashion-mommy
It’s back again for another run in July. Go see! And thank you.x
Ana De- Jesus
I have never been to a ballet show but I do like dance and I do like theatre so it sounds good to me!
Jessy Morgan
This review is brilliant, maybe even enough to make me go to a ballet! Well done!
Hannah
I’ve never heard of this one, it does sound really good x
Anosa
I never hear this yet but I think its a beautiful one. I will check out is this is available in my location. I wish i learned ballet too.
Rhian Westbury
I’ve been to a Matthew Bourne show before and it was magical so I’m sure this was too x
Teresa Bowen
I have always loved the original film. It is an absolute classic. I wasn’t aware that a new stage version was being produced and now I will have to check to see if it is coming to the South-West at any point as I would love to see it.
Dannii
That sounds amazing. Going to the ballet is on my bucket list. I would love to see it in New York.
Jo
I adore ballet, this one sounds simply beautiful. Jo x
Jade Bremner
The costumes look beautiful, the red and white dress is my favourite. I would love to go back to the ballet x
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
I haven’t yet been to a ballet but this sounds like it must have been a wonderful show. One for the list I think!!!
Natasha Mairs
I have never seen a ballet before, but I would really love to. I bet this was great
Stephanie Cummings
I’ve not been to a ballet before. Someone from work is going to one tonight in Manchester somewhere and him going and reading this makes me want to book one
Whatlauraloves
I have never been to the ballet before, I’d love to go to see if it was something that I liked as it looks so elegant! xxx