I fell in love with the movie of The Red Shoes the first time I saw it. Part of that may have been because it reminded me of my favourite musical - The Phantom of the Opera - but it was also because the passion spoke to me. I understood the dedication, the commitment and the drive portrayed through the story; I could empathise with the feelings of family, betrayal, torment. So I was very very excited to see this production at Sadler’s Wells. I could sense the same excitement in the other audience members - it was clear that everyone loved the movie.
This production did not disappoint. It was stunning. It was in glorious technicolour, and it really did feel like you were watching an MGM movie musical from the Golden Age. The costumes were beautiful and the set, a proscenium arch centre stage, transferred you seamlessly from being an audience member to being backstage and then back again.
Ashley Shaw was enchanting as Victoria Page. Sam Archer as Lermontov felt a bit lost and lacking in charisma at the beginning, so much so that in the first few scenes I actually confused him with another member of the cast! However the character developed and he came into his own, although he did not have the same gravitas as Anton Walbrook’s Lermontov. Julian Craster (Dominic North) was a little bit of a non-entity in that there seemed to be little growth in his relationship with Vicki - suddenly they were together. This seemed surprising given how pivotal his role and their relationship is to the story, but perhaps understandable for timing purposes.
North’s ‘composition’ routine was incredible, however, and gave him a moment to shine. The choreography had subtly and nuances, and told the story absolutely brilliantly. It even managed to capture comedy in the entertaining rehearsal scene between Liam Mower’s Boleslawsky and Michela Meazza’s Bornskya where, instead of dancing, the steps were represented by a dress being waved around and hands being twiddled where the more complicated steps feature. The argument scene between Vicki and Julian, when she puts on her red shoes again but does not tie the ribbons, requires specific mention as this was some of the most exquisitely beautiful choreography that I have even seen. The way in which the shoes and ribbons were incorporated into the choreography was breathtakingly ingenious.
This was a glorious production and deserved its sell out run. It is going on tour - you should book tickets now as this is a production you will not want to miss.