The Red Shoes: Exercises and Resources
Overview
Discover how we create movement material and delve into the repertoire of Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes with Resident Artists - Kerry Biggin and Paul Smethurst, New Adventures Dance Artists, Luke Murphy and Sam Archer, and New Adventures Dancer Seren Williams.
Our exercises and activities are adapted for GCSE, A Level & BTEC students and those with a general level of dance experience, however anyone can try these at home!
Warm Up
The Red Shoes Warm Up
Below are two videos to warm up your body in different ways that introduces The Red Shoes ideas and movement language.
- Swing Step Warm Up uses movement from the period in which The Red Shoes was set, and it's a fun and playful way to get your bodies active.
- Conductor Flocking is an exercise that encourages focus, unity and a feeling of collective movement like a flock of birds. The dancer at the front of the group "conducts" the movement, and the cluster of dancers respond like an orchestra in harmony.
Repertoire
Act Two Nightmare Phrase
Learn Irina Boronskaja's Nightmare phrase from Act Two, adapted for different abilities.
- Go to 00:59 for the phrase adapted for GCSE, A Level & BTEC Students
- Go to 02:51 for the phrase adapted for a General Level
Wobble, The Red Shoes Ballet
Learn the Wobble 2 phrase from The Red Shoes Ballet adapted for GCSE, A Level & BTEC Students.
Act One Beach Ballet
Learn the Beach Ballet from Act One adapted for general level. And if you're still feeling creative, download the PDF below to take part in creating your own Beach Ballet choreography, with links to music and themes that are sure to inspire you and get those creative juices flowing!
Act One Audition Phrase
Learn the Audition phrase from Act One, adapted for seated or standing.
Creative Tasks
Julian Craster's Conductor Solo
This creative task is inspired by struggling composer Julian Craster's solo in Act One.
Nightmare Phrase Top and Tail
This is a signature New Adventures creative task used to create movement that is very unusual and is also great for co-ordination. This sequence is inspired from the end of The Red Shoes ballet when Vicky returns to Ballet Lermontov.
Red Shoes Ballet Solo and Duet
This creative task is inspired by the duet between Grischa Ljubov and Vicky Page in The Red Shoes Ballet
Beach Ballet
Learn the Beach Ballet phrase from Act One, adapted for General Level.