Matthew Bourne’s Ballet Version Of The 1948 Film “The Red Shoes” Has Arrived At The Ahmanson

The story of Victoria Page (played by Ashley Shaw), a rising ballerina who must choose between her love for composer Julian Craster (Dominic North) and her passion for dancing is told through classical ballet, a beautiful set design by Lez Brotherston and a dramatic score from Terry Davies adapting Bernard Herrmann’s Hollywood film scores for the production.

The clever set design, utilizing an oversized rotating arch, lets the audience see the action of dancers on stage as well as behind the scenes drama and transports the story from Covent Garden to Monte Carlo to an East End music hall.

After trying on the magical red shoes, Victoria is noticed by Boris Lermontov (Sam Archer) and cast as the principal ballerina in “The Red Shoes,” a ballet based on the Hans Christina Anderson fairytale about a dancer who falls under the spell of a pair of red ballet shoes. When she becomes successful and in love, she cannot make up her mind to be with Julian or live for her art, and she ultimately kills herself.

The wordless ballet includes playful beach and Egyptian sand dancers scenes and intermittent use of ballroom dancing which provide breaks from the serious and dramatic storyline. There are also beautiful 1940’s costumes, clever use of lighting and above all breathtaking dancing. It’s too bad this ballet within a ballet is only here for a few weeks.

All photos courtesy of Johan Persson