The Red Shoes

Presented by Sydney Festival in association with Arts Projects Australia

By Kneehigh Theatre (UK)

Australian Premiere

Based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen

‘Exquisitely dark, sexy and mischievous.’ The Times

‘Giddy, grisly and gorgeous.’ The Observer

The Red Shoes is a rousing piece of physical theatre where anything is possible and nothing is probable.

How can a girl resist a pair of red shoes, especially when they make her feet dance with delight and her head spin with possibilities? But what happens when temptation becomes obsession? When she can’t stop dancing? When she can’t take them off?

Acclaimed Cornish theatre company Kneehigh, who brought us Tristan & Yseult in 2006, honour Hans Christian Andersen’s grisly intent for this classic fairytale. Get ready for a ragtag band of scoundrels and rascals who bring this adaptation full-thump onto the stage for a night of the surreal, sensuous and profound, as well as some all-out non-stop dancing.

Directed by Emma Rice, and based on poetry by Anna Maria Murphy, this twisted tale boasts a toe-twitching soundtrack, eye-popping imagery and a heart-pounding story of desire and eternal retribution.

A story in one act for adults and very brave children (8+)

Director: Emma Rice
Poems: Anna Maria Murphy
Design: Bill Mitchell
Music: Stu Barker
Film: Mark Jenkin
Lighting: Malcolm Rippeth
Sound: Simon Baker
Producer: Paul Crewes

This performance contains strobe lighting, cigarette smoke and hazers.

Mike Shepherd (Joint-Artistic Director, Kneehigh) and Patrycja Kujawska (performer, The Red Shoes) speak with Caroline Baum post-show on January 23 as part of Microscope.