A ballerina in a green dress dances on stage at sunset, holding red ballet shoes and surrounded by red rose petals, with a lakeside town and mountains in the background.

A ballerina in a blue dress performs on stage in front of a painting, while formally dressed people watch from the side and a chandelier hangs overhead.

A group of actors in vintage costumes surround a seated ballerina on stage; one man reaches toward her head as she balances en pointe on one foot.

A dancer in a red and white dress poses close to the floor with one arm extended, set against a dramatic, moody background.

Matthew Bourne's

The Red Shoes

Tue 14 - Sat 18 Apr 2026

Venue: Festival Theatre

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Matthew Bourne’s magical double Olivier Award-winning production of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.

An enchanting masterpiece

The Red Shoes  has captivated audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world.

Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a fierce struggle between the two men who inspire her passion.

An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences, The Red Shoes  will dazzle your senses and break your heart.

Set to a score orchestrated by Terry Davies, featuring the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Herrmann, with sumptuous designs by Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).

"Utterly enthralling"
Daily Express
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"A gorgeous swirl of storytelling and style"
The Independent
★ ★ ★ ★

"Enchanting... A cinematic masterpiece re-Bourne on stage"
Evening Standard
★ ★ ★ ★

"Scintillating...lavish and constantly surprising"
Daily Telegraph
★ ★ ★ ★

A woman in white pants and a striped shirt poses on the floor, holding hands with a standing man in similar attire, performing on stage with a seascape backdrop.

A group of dancers rehearses on stage in front of a pianist, with theatrical lighting and curtains in the background.

A ballerina in a teal dress performs on stage in front of a large painting, while three formally dressed people watch from the side.

A group of dancers in vintage swimsuits pose together on stage with beach balls, against a backdrop of blue sky and ocean.

Ballet dancer in a red and white costume performs a pose on stage, with a backdrop featuring tree branches and shadows.

A woman in white pants and a striped shirt poses on the floor, holding hands with a standing man in similar attire, performing on stage with a seascape backdrop.

A group of dancers rehearses on stage in front of a pianist, with theatrical lighting and curtains in the background.

A ballerina in a teal dress performs on stage in front of a large painting, while three formally dressed people watch from the side.

A group of dancers in vintage swimsuits pose together on stage with beach balls, against a backdrop of blue sky and ocean.

Ballet dancer in a red and white costume performs a pose on stage, with a backdrop featuring tree branches and shadows.

Performance details

Show times: Evenings; 7.30pm; Matinees; 2.30pm
Running time: 1 hour 55 minutes, including interval
Age suitability: 7+

Discounts

Friends 20% off (excl. Fri & Sat) – Read more about the Friends discount

Concessions £3 off. (excl. Fri & Sat)

Accessibility information

Audio described performance Sat 18 April, 2.30pm
Touch tours Begins 90 minutes before the Audio Described performance listed above.

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