All the romance and drama of ballet are captured in a superb recreation for the big screen of Matthew Bourne’s award winning stage production of The Red Shoes 

The double Oliver Award-winning smash hit

“Enthralling, richly satisfying.” ★★★★ The Guardian

“Matthew Bourne’s finest achievement to date.” ★★★★★ The Stage

“A feast for the eye.” The Observer

“A gorgeous swirl of storytelling and style” ★★★★ The independent

Based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale

She dreams of being the greatest dancer in the world…

An intoxicating tale of obsession and possession

Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s classic 1948 film The Red Shoes returns to the big screen, transformed by the dazzling choreography of Matthew Bourne. The double Olivier Award-winning stage production was sold out even before its world premiere tour in 2016, and played to rapturous audiences and critical acclaim. Now the drama and spectacle of this landmark staging have been captured on film, to be experienced to the full in a special HKAF screening. 

The film brings together elements of both ballet and swing dance, set to a superbly orchestrated score. It tells, through movement and music, the story of a gifted and ambitious ballerina, torn between romantic passion and devotion to her art and career. 

For the score, Bourne and Terry Davies chose to use sweepingly romantic music by Bernard Hermann, one of the great composers of Hollywood’s golden era. Working with regular collaborator, costume and set designer Lez Brotherston, he created an unforgettable visual experience which can now be fully appreciated on the big screen.  

Embodying the glamour and drama of both Hollywood and the glittering world of ballet, this sumptuous production, filmed live at Sadler’s Wells, captures all the magic that won Matthew Bourne the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer, and the show the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. This special screening is not to be missed. 

To offer a broader view of Matthew Bourne’s art, for a limited time the HKAF will also screen online recordings of three career-defining Bourne productions – Swan Lake, Cinderella, and Romeo and Juliet – with accompanying behind-the-scenes videos. 

^{Approx 1 hr and 40 mins with no interval}

Based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale

Directed and Choreographed by
Matthew Bourne

Set and Costume Design
Lez Brotherston

Lighting Design
Paule Constable

Sound Design
Paul Groothuis

Projection Design
Duncan McLean

Music by
Bernard Herrmann

Orchestration and Additional Music by
Terry Davies