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BrumHour saw The Red Shoes at the invite of The RSC.
By Dave Massey x.com/BrumHour
This production contains dark and violent themes.
Review: The Red Shoes at The RSC Swan Theatre
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Elegant, darkly haunting and playful
Directed and choreographed by Kimberley Rampersad, Play by Nancy Harris
After her mother passes away, Karen (Nikki Cheung) finds herself adopted/fostered into the home of Mariella (Dianne Pilkington), husband Bob (James Doherty) with their bloodthirsty son Clive (Joseph Edwards) and loyal housekeeper Mags (Sakuntala Ramanee). Despite Mariella wanting a orphaned child for status, she sends Karen with Mags to a shoemaker, Sylvestor (Sebastien Torkia), who supplies Karen with some stunning red shoes. Shoes that seem to have a mind of their own.
A darkly comical play with some songs and plenty of dancing, The Red Shoes presents its own take on the classic but bleak story. There are some properly grim dark moments, punctuated by seconds later by a laugh-out-loud script.
Nikki Cheung is an excellent performer transforming from the mute young orphan on arrival to a brash confident debutante, as house guests appear. Dianne Pilkington is a total scene stealer as Mariella, with her Keeping Up Appearances attitude barely covering Mariella’s imposter syndrome. Joseph Edwards is perfectly unhinged as Clive the son and his first arrival on stage with a suspicious-looking clear plastic bag sets the tone for the entire show. Sebastien Torkia is excellent as our narrator who doubles as a shoemaker and a priest, whilst Sakuntala Ramanee plays Karen’s real mother figure with compassion and huge heart.
At first glance, the set looks simple, but the red and black stage, red backdrop and theatre contain little secrets which open up throughout the production. The huge mirror/portrait is lush as is the double-backed chaise. The clothes rails of the walk-in wardrobe provide their own secrets and lies as well as showing the passage of time in the story.
Some parents might be in for a bit of a shock if they are expecting something a bit more family friendly and the production does come with a age suggestion. “Age guidance: 7+ years. Parental discretion recommended for under 12s.”
This charmingly dark production is elegant and haunting, and above all playful with music that creates a magical theatre for indulding in performance. The Red Shoes is at The RSC Swan Theatre until 19th January 2025. Book tickets here: rsc.org.uk/the-red-shoes.
