“A dazzling production not to be missed”
Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes has arrived in The Lowry. Inspired by Powell and Pressburger’s iconic film and rooted in Hans Christian Andersen’s haunting fairy tale, New Adventures once again demonstrates how beautifully a classic can be reimagined for the stage. The company draws on a rich palette of dance styles and emotional storytelling to create a production worthy of its accolades.
At the heart of the story is Victoria “Vicky” Page (Ashley Shaw), a young ballerina who dreams of becoming a star. Her life shifts dramatically when the formidable impresario Boris Lermontov (Andy Monaghan) takes notice. He commissions The Red Shoes ballet with her as its centrepiece. The ballet-within-the-ballet mirrors the world around it: a tale of a girl cursed with enchanted red shoes that compel her to dance without rest. It’s a metaphor that becomes painfully real as Vicky is pulled between two loves – her rising career and her relationship with the passionate young composer Julian Craster (Dominic North). What unfolds is a moving exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the price artists can pay for their devotion.
Matthew Bourne’s approach to dance is a celebration of everything theatre-goers savour. His choreography blends classical precision with contemporary flair and theatrical playfulness. There’s something wonderfully accessible about the way he stages movement – nothing ever feels distant or overly abstract. Instead, he invites the audience into the emotions of each moment.
One of the true highlights of the production is the staging of The Red Shoes ballet in Act I. It’s visually striking, meticulously choreographed, and rich with the dreamlike quality that Bourne does so well. Delightfully, the comedy sprinkled throughout the show becomes a standout feature. In such an expressive ballet, the humour lands clearly and confidently, often cutting through the drama at just the right moments.
Lez Brotherston’s set deserves its own applause. With clever mechanics and dynamic movement, it transforms fluidly from dramatic performance spaces to the colourful world backstage. At times, it feels almost like a character in its own right, guiding the story as much as framing it. The costuming, also by Brotherston, brings bursts of vibrancy, texture, and period charm, pulling the eye across every inch of the stage.
The Red Shoes is a dazzling production not to be missed. The Red Shoes plays at The Lowry until Saturday 29th November and tours the UK through the winter. Tickets are available here.