The Red Shoes, Swan Theatre (The RSC) Review
Nikki Cheung as Karen. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Written by Emmie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Hans Christian Andersen's 1845 tale about female vanity has undergone numerous adaptations over the years, including a 1948 film and Matthew Bourne's 2016 contemporary ballet production (you can read a review of it here). Now, how might Nancy Harris approach this dark and intricate story, weaving together its elements with the transformative power of theatre into the 21st Century?
The Red Shoes tells the story of Karen, a young orphan who arrives at the home of the Nugents. The hardship of Karen’s life is very evident from the moment she forms a connection with them, it’s only when she meets an extravagant shoemaker that she starts to discover what temptation lies ahead of her. She becomes entranced with a pair of dazzling red shoes. Despite the warning signs, she succumbs to vanity and pride, choosing the shoes over humility and gratitude. Over time the shoes become cursed, which forces her to dance endlessly, resulting in suffering and despair.
This new perspective on Anderson’s tale is striking and enchanting with some well-thought-out creative decisions that enable you to be consistently engrossed by what is unfolding. This is emphasised by Sebastien Torkia who has this brilliant addition to his character(s) when he breaks the fourth wall, allowing audiences to question and reflect on many of the story’s messages.
There is no doubt that Nancy Harris has kept herself aligned with the story’s darker side, and the fairy-tale Easter eggs are easily identifiable throughout. When the show is allowed to be dragged into the eventualities of the narrative, it’s balanced beautifully with humour. The humour is dominated by the Nugent family, who are middle-class and have their own vanities. Dianne Pilkington is flamboyant and unrestrained as Mrs Nugent who is fixated on her status whereas the husband, played by James Doherty, is someone who is a lot more assured. Their chemistry together helps deliver some of this production's best scenes. The brilliant Joseph Edwards takes on the role of Clive, his relentless fascination with taxidermy is evident and his quirky demeanour adds depth to the overall arch of the main thread of The Red Shoes. Sakuntala Ramanee adds lightness to her role as Mags. A supportive and compassionate person, she serves as a friend and confidante to Karen and this brings a dose of warmth to proceedings.
At the heart of this tale is a young woman driven by her passion for dance. Nikki Cheun masterfully conveys her character's sorrow and joy through expressive movement, seamlessly shifting the story's atmosphere. While some moments felt slightly repetitive to me, there’s no denying that Cheun’s performance in the final dance sequence is one of the most compelling highlights of the production.
Overall, The Red Shoes delivers a striking and bold new adaptation of the story. However, I’m concerned that it may not be as accessible for younger audiences. While recent productions like The Boy in the Dress and The Magician’s Elephant have been excellent in engaging younger viewers, I’m not convinced this production will resonate with them in the same way. Who knows what 2025 will bring to the festive offering..
At the Swan Theatre, RSC until 19 Jan 2025
★★★★
