Sir Matthew Bourne—the visionary behind the iconic gender-swapped Swan Lake and the hauntingly beautiful Edward Scissorhands—has returned to Cardiff, gracing the Wales Millennium Centre with his breathtaking masterpiece, The Red Shoes.
This production marks a triumphant return for the Olivier Award-winning ballet, which saw its 2020 tour cruelly cut short by the pandemic. Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and inspired by the classic Academy Award-winning film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes dives deep into the psyche of a dancer. It explores the intoxicating, often dangerous allure of ambition. We follow Victoria Page, a dancer possessed by the need to create, as she finds herself painfully caught between two men who inspire her: the demanding impresario Boris Lermontov and the young composer Julian Craster. It is a timeless tug-of-war between professional obsession and the yearning for human love.
The performance begins in a way that is uncharacteristically traditional for Bourne. Initially, I worried that the plain, old-school theatre backdrops and conventional balletic movements were all that was on offer. However, that concern was short-lived.
The genius of Bourne’s direction began to seep in from the moment the dancers transitioned to a vibrant Monte Carlo scene. Adorned in stylish swimsuits and playing with oversized beach balls against crisp, projected visuals, the stage transformed. This shift from the traditional to the surreal is where Bourne truly thrives.
As Act One neared its conclusion, the production design stepped into a new dimension. We were met with a series of minimalistic, white proscenium arches that framed the action beautifully through clever projections. A dramatic “stormy wind” sequence elevated the stakes, utilizing sound effects and flowing costumes that breathed literal life into the choreography.
In a stunning pivot, the chaos of the storm gave way to the serenity of a starry sky. Dancers moved as if suspended in the clouds, floating through their steps with a weightlessness that felt genuinely magical. This was immediately followed by a starkly contrasting graveyard scene. The vibrant red of the shoes and Victoria’s outfit popped against a palette of sombre greys, creating a hauntingly beautiful juxtaposition during a duet that seemed to glide across the stage.
Act Two continued this momentum with visceral, high-stakes moments. The intimacy of the bedroom duet was deeply moving, but the true standout remains the infamous “train moment.” Even for those who know the story and anticipate the climax, Bourne’s execution is so immersive that the impact is still a genuine shock—a breathtaking “oh my gosh” moment that anchors the tragedy of the tale.
The cast is world-class, delivering a performance that is as technically flawless as it is emotionally taxing. The Red Shoes is a vivid, sensory explosion that reminds us why live theatre is essential.
The Red Shoes is performing at the Wales Millennium Centre until March 7th. Do not miss your chance to see this incredible work of art.
