REVIEW - MATTHEW BOURNE'S THE RED SHOES | THE LOWRY | 25/11/2025

The Red Shoes: A Spellbinding Fusion of Dance, Drama and 1940s Glamour

There’s always a real sense of anticipation when a Matthew Bourne production arrives in town, and The Red Shoes is no exception. I’d heard so much about this celebrated adaptation, so I was excited to finally see New Adventures’ take on this iconic story when it arrived at The Lowry on its UK tour. Inspired by the 1948 Powell and Pressburger film and Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale, this production blends old-Hollywood glamour with the emotional depth and inventive choreography that Bourne is known for. From the very first moment, it was clear we were about to be swept into a rich, dramatic and visually stunning world.

Told entirely through movement, The Red Shoes follows the rise of ambitious young dancer Victoria Page, who becomes torn between her love for composer Julian Craster and the consuming world of ballet ruled by the formidable impresario Boris Lermontov.

We travel with the company from London to Paris and Monte Carlo, witnessing backstage tensions, fragile egos, quiet heartbreaks and the intoxicating lure of the infamous red shoes — shoes that symbolise ambition, obsession and sacrifice.

The storytelling is crystal clear, deeply emotional and filled with striking contrasts: tender romance one moment, comedic ensemble chaos the next, and devastating tragedy by the finale. Even if you’ve never seen the film or read the fairy tale, the narrative unfolds with gripping clarity.

Lez Brotherston’s set and costume design are absolutely stunning. The way the stage transforms from rehearsal room to sunny seaside scenes, elegant parties, a lively East End music hall and then into that striking monochrome world within the ballet is just incredible to watch. And I have to mention the rotating proscenium arch — it’s such a clever touch, flipping us between front stage and backstage so smoothly that it almost feels like its own character in the show.

Paule Constable’s lighting is atmospheric and cinematic, shifting from golden elegance to soft noir shadows to the harsh glow of a bedsit. Duncan McLean’s projection design adds layers of depth with beautiful monochrome cityscapes and dizzying tunnel visuals that perfectly amplify Victoria’s psychological spiral.

The choreography in this production truly showcases Bourne at his best, mixing classical technique with sharp storytelling, humour and theatrical flair. From energetic rehearsal scenes to sweeping pas de deux and the brilliant sand dance tribute, every moment is packed with meaning and detail.

And then there’s the music. Bernard Herrmann’s score, orchestrated by Terry Davies, envelopes the entire production in vintage Hollywood richness. Eerie, lush, romantic and unsettling in all the right places — it captures the story’s escalating tension with absolute precision.

The cast of The Red Shoes are exceptional across the board.

Ashley Shaw is mesmerising as Victoria Page. Her journey from bright-eyed rising star to tormented artist is portrayed with such honesty and heartbreaking physicality that you simply cannot look away.

Dominic North is tender and quietly powerful as Julian Craster, with moments of explosive creativity, including a standout solo during a composing sequence that had the audience utterly captivated.

Andy Monaghan brings a chilling elegance to Boris Lermontov — controlled, charismatic and increasingly possessive.

Will Bozier dazzles as Ivan Boleslawsky, offering sharp wit and sensational technique, while Michela Meazza is wonderfully fierce and dramatic as Irina Boronskaya.

Glenn Graham deserves special mention for his sinister, almost hypnotic presence — particularly as the character who embodies the lure of the red shoes themselves.

The entire ensemble are phenomenal — committed, characterful and constantly engaged, with lightning-fast costume changes and boundless energy.

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is a beautifully crafted production that balances style, emotion and storytelling with effortless ease. The combination of stunning design, clever choreography and an outstanding cast makes it a genuinely memorable night at the theatre.

It’s elegant, engaging, often funny and at times deeply moving — everything you’d hope for from a New Adventures production. I left the theatre feeling completely swept up in Victoria’s world and hugely impressed by the talent on stage.

A beautifully delivered piece of dance theatre that simply shouldn’t be missed.

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is at The Lowry until Saturday 29th November 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.

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If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.

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Photo Credit - Johan Persson

*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.