Overview
MATTHEW BOURNE’S double Olivier Award winning smash hit production of
THE RED SHOES returns.
Based on the film by MICHAEL POWELL and EMERIC PRESSBURGER
and the HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN fairy tale
Music by BERNARD HERRMANN
Orchestrations by TERRY DAVIES
THE DOUBLE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT RETURNS
A timeless fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.
Matthew Bourne’s magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).
An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.
Returning for the annual Christmas season at Sadler's Wells as part of a UK tour.
UTTERLY ENTHRALLING
Daily Express
A GORGEOUS swirl of storytelling and style
The Independent
ENCHANTING. A cinematic masterpiece re-Bourne on stage
Evening Standard
COMPELLING. A brilliant showcase for Bourne’s genius
Daily Telegraph
SCINTILLATING. Lavish and constantly surprising
Daily Telegraph
The History of the Show
World Premiere: 21 November 2016 at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Following its premiere, The Red Shoes enjoyed an eight-week Christmas season at Sadler's Wells before continuing its UK tour in 2017.
The Red Shoes had its American premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on 15 September 2017, followed by seasons at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, and City Center, New York. Matthew Bourne's production of The Red Shoes returned to Sadler's Wells in 2019 for a seven-week Christmas season from 5 December - 19 January 2020.
Age recommendation: Suitable for children aged 7+, but we recommend reading the film's synopsis, as there are some mature themes.
Company
Photos & Videos
News
Awards & Reviews
MANCHESTER THEATRE AWARDS 2017
Nominated for The Robert Robson Award for Best New Dance
OLIVIER AWARDS 2017
Winner of Best Entertainment
Matthew Bourne winner of Best Theatre Choreographer
HOSPITAL CLUB'S H.CLUB 100 AWARD
Ashley Shaw winner of Theatre & Performance
BROADWAY WORLD UK AWARDS 2017
Nominated for Outstanding Achievement in a New Dance Production
NATIONAL DANCE AWARDS 2017
Matthew Bourne for ‘The Red Shoes’ nominated for Best Modern Choreography
Ashley Shaw as Vicky Page in ‘The Red Shoes’ winner of Outstanding Female Performance (Modern)
LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS AWARDS 2017
Matthew Bourne winner of the LADC Choreography award
Lez Brotherston winner of the LADC Costume Designaward
Paule Constable nominated for the LADC Lighting Design award
BIRMINGHAM WHAT'S ON AWARDS 2018
Nominated for Best Dance Production
BESSIE AWARDS 2018
Nominated for Outstanding Production
Lez Brotherston (Set & Costume), Duncan McLean (Video & Projection) & Paule Constable (Lighting) nominated for Outstanding Visual Design
Learn & Explore
Access
Download our Visual Guide to The Red Shoes. Using words and pictures, we take you through the story and any triggers or sounds that you might want to know about in advance.
Download our Lighting Map that will take you through the lighting of the show.
Download our Sonic Story that highlights loud and quiet moments from the performance.
Audio Described Performances and Touch Tour
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
The Lowry
Sadler's Wells
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Milton Keynes Theatre
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Liverpool Empire
Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff
Mayflower, Southampton
Birmingham Hippodrome
The Marlowe, Canterbury
Norwich Theatre Royal
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Sensory Adapted Performance at Sadler's Wells on 11 January 2026 (Matinee). Booking now open.