Matthew Bourne's the Red Shoes

My first ever feature-length ballet viewing took place on Christmas night - when this performance was screening on the BBC. My partner being a big ballet fan - and me not being familiar with either the form or the Powell & Pressburger original film - I thought it would be impenetrably challenging as a watch. It turned out to be hugely engaging - the set and costume design alone made it remarkable and the dancing, well, it was amazing of course. It managed to evoke 1940s cinema very strikingly and showed off the form to the initiated (me) with serious conviction. Not festive in theme, but a very good shout from those deciding the Christmas schedules!

First up, comparing this to the original movie is ridiculous. This is a live stage production and has all the limitations that do not apply to movies.

Within those limitations, Bourne has, again, produced a wonderful production. The costumes, sets and the dancers are all superb.

The sets recreate the era and the use of white, black and silhouettes works so well when set against the vivid colours of the dancers costumes. The use of video overlays on the set surrounds also works really well.

Ashley Shaw is simply breathtaking. Beautiful to look at and a perfect dancer for the role. All the leads do an excellent job.

Highly recommended!

Personally i thought this was pure wonder. Creativity explored and delivered to the highest standards. An absolute delight and not to be missed. I watched the movie the following night and that is a delight also but of its time and place. Mathew Bourne's also has humour in beautiful dollops. The scene where the dancers become falling leaves is inspired. Thankyou everyone.

A very, very, very pale imitation of a truly spectacular movie by Powell and Pressburger. Please, do yourself a favor and watch the movie with Moira Shearer instead - it's exquisite and unforgettable!!! There's no comparison!!!