Discover what is being said about Kimberley Rampersad’s production based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale.
WhatsOnStage: **** “There’s some confusion around the storytelling in places, and the moral (such as it is) feels rather crowbarred into the proceedings – it is a fairytale, after all – but at a pacy two hours plus interval, there’s no opportunity to get fidgety, although its gloomier and more gruesome moments definitely do not recommend it to young audiences.”
The Guardian: ** “Slickly directed and choreographed by Kimberley Rampersad, the production excels in its movement. Like the exquisite Powell and Pressburger film with the unmatchable Moira Shearer, the production stars a professional ballerina in the central role and Cheung’s dancing is the most hypnotic thing here.”
All That Dazzles: **** “But this is not Andersen’s tale. This is a new version by playwright Nancy Harris, reinterpreting The Red Shoes for a modern audience. Gone are the values which underpin the original, instructing children to be obedient, modest, and quiet. Directed by Kimberley Rampersad, this new version flips it all on its head. Nothing here is modest, sensible, or normal, and it’s all the better for it. This is a production almost reminiscent of a Tim Burton film, unashamedly all-in with its strangeness.”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “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.”
The Telegraph: *** “Offering a winning mixture of live music, movement, dance and song, Nancy Harris’s take on Andersen’s tale nevertheless lacks the wow-factor.”
Stage Talk Magazine: *** “If what you want from a family Christmas show is a bit of seasonal moralizing this show is just the ticket. What holds it back from greater impact is the thin plot and lack of any sympathetic central character since Karen is the author of her own misfortune and thus an anti-heroine.”
The Reviews Hub: ***** “It is eerie, atmospheric, and reminiscent of all the best ghost stories of old but also leans into the faintly ridiculous to create something that is hugely funny and an absolute pleasure to watch.”
The Stage: **** “Vivid visuals and macabre humour animate this modern reworking of Hans Christian Andersen’s grisly fairytale.”
Fairy Powered Productions: **** “The RSC’s adaptation of The Red Shoes is entertaining, enchanting and an exciting alternative traditional Christmas production.”
Beyond the Curtain: “The play’s message of vanity and the power of our decisions to put ourselves on display is a really thought-provoking one, especially in the age of social media, where we all regularly post our daily lives. Kimberley Rampersad’s production balances the dark with some wicked humour which is played superbly by all.”
British Theatre Guide: “overall, this show is a mixed bag, a bit of dance, one (yes just one) song and a few cardboard characters, that fails to form a satisfying whole.”
The Red Shoes continues to play at The Swan Theatre until the 19th January 2025.