The Red Shoes at RSC Swan Theatre Review

Post

Subscribe

Thu 14 Nov 2024 - Sun 19 Jan 2025

The Royal Shakespeare Company(RSC) is offering an alternative Christmas show in its intimate Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with a reimagined version of the fairytale The Red Shoes .

I caught the show that mixes dance, drama and comedy early on its run, which continues throughout Christmas until January 19. Writer Nancy Harris has updated the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and turned it into more of a Wes Anderson gothic horror.

It's instantly visually striking with haunting, memorable live music that is perfect for this dark, macabre production. Director and choreographer Kimberley Rampersad has worked wonders with bringing the dark magic of the red shoes to life in cleverly thought-out scenes, especially for the dramatic dinner party shown below.



It follows orphan Karen, played by exceptional dancer Nikki Cheung, who is adopted by self-obsessed Mariella Nugent(Dianne Pilkington) and her businessman husband Bob (James Doherty).

Unsettling from the start, this grim fairytale can feel a little unrelenting in its pursuit of unhappy endings with little joy. It's ideal for those seeking alternatives to happy clappy Christmas shows.

This RSC Christmas show is especially dark around the Nugents' son Clive, pictured below, who hangs around blood-stained with an axe and loves nothing more than cutting up road kill. The show has an age guidance of 7+ but parental discretion is recommended for under 12s and I can understand why with some of the gruesome bloody scenes involved.

While the subtle acerbic comedy fits well including how Bob seems to be having a midlife crisis when bewitched by Karen in the shoes, what doesn't sit so well is the more brash humour. It clashes with the menacing, brutal take on the fairytale.



Some of the lighter scenes, like when our heroine Karen meets Prince(named after the pop star rather than royalty), are at odds with the dark humour leading up to it. Harris has also tried to wedge in elements of panto that don't really fit. It makes the show feel like it's not sure what it is.

It veers towards gothic noir and actor Sebastien Torkia brings that to the fore, commanding everyone's attention. He's excellent as a menacing compere, self-serving priest and sinister shoemaker Sylvestor. Torkia pictured below is an experienced hand on stage though, touring with the RSC's Matilda The Musical and starring in West End shows from Oklahoma to Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

The only kindness shown Karen is from Bob and the Nugent's maid Mags, played by impressive Sakuntala Ramanee. They are a thankful relief from the endless gloom.



Part of the problem is that when you think of The Red Shoes, the iconic Powell and Pressburger 1948 sweeping film with incredible dance sequences comes to mind. So, this play of the same name is always going to have big shoes to fill.

While there's much to like in this alternative, modern update of The Red Shoes, it feels like it's still a work in progress that needs tweaks. That said, The Red Shoes is intriguing, different and visually stunning with some standout moments.

Rating: Three stars out of five


The RSC website here has more information and tickets for The Red Shoes at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, which runs until January 19.


%wnstratforduponavon
%wnbirmingham
#arts_culture
#theatre_shows
#dance
#christmas