Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
★★★★☆ Moody and mesmerising
Festival Theatre: Tue 14 – Sat 18 Apr 2026
Review by Sophie Good
The Red Shoes, Matthew Bourne’s dark and twisted tale of obsession and love, jetés into the Festival Theatre on the coat-tails of 1940s Hollywood glamour and a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.
The ballet is predominantly based on Powell and Pressburger’s 1948 movie, itself inspired by the fairytale. Golden age Hollywood glamour and a sinister fairytale theme both influence one of Bourne’s most successful productions, choreographed in his signature blend of contemporary dance with traditional ballet.
Andy Monaghan (Boris Lermontov) and Cordelia Braithwaite (Victoria Page). Pic: Johan Persson.
The story follows the film quite closely and, while some of the intricacies of the plot are lost in the movement-based storytelling, there is still plenty of action to follow.
Ballet impresario Boris Lermontov (Andy Monaghan) is entranced by the rising star Victoria Page (Cordelia Braithwaite) and casts her in the lead role of his new show The Red Shoes for which Julian Craster (Jarrod McWilliams) is enlisted to compose the music.
devastated
Page then falls in love with Craster, a relationship that Lermontov is devastated by. He ousts both from his company, forcing them to pursue their living in variety shows in London.
Just as they do in the fairytale, the red shoes hold a mysterious supernatural power. They are like a drug to Page and she is soon compelled to return to Lermontov, with tragic consequences.
The company of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes. Pic: Johan Persson
Despite its heavy theme, there are funny and light moments in the piece. Bourne’s quirky humour is present in enjoyable scenes where the dancers are off the clock. Holly Saw is especially entertaining as prima ballerina Irina Boronskaya, much in the style of a comic and over the top Hollywood diva.
It is a layered and highly theatrical piece, with far more narrative than traditional ballets. There are scenes that really pack an emotional punch, such when Page and Craster battle out their future, clad in pyjamas, representing the domesticity that Page is torn away from in order to pursue her compulsion to dance.
Braithwaite owns the role
These are dancers who demonstrate their acting chops as well. Braithwaite in particular turns in a memorable and committed performance, her dancing captivating and energetic. She owns the role, which she has been playing since the original 2016 production, along with 11 of the other cast members.
Cordelia Braithwaite (Victoria Page) and Dominic North (Julian Kraster). Pic: Johan Persson.
A musical score by Bernard Herrmann, whose high drama and psychologically tense compositions featured in films from Citizen Kane to Psycho, is orchestrated by Terry Davies and sets the tone, providing all the drama the orchestra need.
Lez Brotherston’s stage design invites the audience behind the curtain as his rotating set shows first the audience’s view – and then reveals the more compelling back stage action.
after-show parties
This ‘theatre within a theatre’ world allows the audience to see the stylised version of The Red Shoes as well as, enjoying the after-show parties and cast days off at the beach.
Brotherston is also not afraid of a little low key reality for the dancers’ costumes, they rarely wear tights or traditional tutus except in the few scenes of traditional ballet. This is a production that shows real dancers, not just highly made up performers.
Dominic North (Julian Kraster), Kayla Collymore (Edith), Liam Mower (Grischa Ljubov), Andy Monaghan (Boris Lermontov), Mark Austin (Dimitri) and Reece Causton (Sergei Ratov). Pic: Johan Persson
Paule Constable’s lighting gets to have its moment, with use of a classic spotlight to demonstrate the magnetic draw, seductiveness and pitfalls all perfectly rendered during the story.
Our eight year old reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the piece, finding the production highly engaging, if at times a little bit scary. The first half is an hour long, something to consider for younger attention spans, with the second half only 30 minutes. There’s nothing overtly frightening, but it has a dark atmosphere at times.
engaging and dramatic
This is engaging and dramatic storytelling, sumptuously designed and superbly executed. Whether you’re a fan of the original film or enjoy Bourne’s unique style, this tragi-drama should have you on your feet.
Running time: One hour and 50 minutes (including one interval)
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT.
Tue 14 – Sat 18 April 2025
Evenings: 7.30pm; Mats: Thurs, Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Liam Mower (Grischa Ljubov) and Cordelia Braithwaite (Victoria Page). Pic: Johan Persson.
ENDS
