A Magical Evening at Sadler’s Wells: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes

Dance students were treated to the genius of Matthew Bourne’s stunning production of The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells. The inventive modern twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale.

The timeless fairytale, inspired by the Academy Award-winning film, captivated the group with its powerful tale of obsession, possession, and one young woman’s dream to become the greatest dancer in the world. At the heart of the story is Victoria Page, a character who “lives to dance,” yet finds her ambitions pulled into a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.

It was an invaluable opportunity to experience live dance in a professional venue, and the group were particularly struck by the production’s imaginative design. The way the performance transported the audience backstage at Covent Garden, to a beach, a café, and even a graveyard was widely admired for its clever use of props, lighting, and movement. As always, Bourne’s dancers impressed with their expressive characterisation, and the tragic ending left many students deeply moved.

Catelaya (Year 7) was mesmerised by the physicality of the choreography: “I enjoyed watching pirouettes and leaps, the way they continually turned was so interesting.” Daria (Year 8) particularly appreciated the production elements: “I loved the set design and the way they used the lights. My favourite part was when they danced at the beach with the true sound of waves and laughter.” Whilst Defne (Year 7) highlighted the musical experience: “The orchestra was so good, I especially liked the way the drums were used.”

Emma (Year 8) enjoyed the stylistic blend: “I liked how ballet and contemporary were mixed to engage the audience.” and Freya (Year 9) reflected on the extraordinary performance of the lead dancer: “The dancer who danced the role of Victoria Page was insane – her technique was just insane.”