
The Red Shoes
Hans Christian Andersen(Founded by)
Nancy Harris(Author)
Nick Hern Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 14. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-1-83904-414-4 (ISBN)
Description
'What's wrong with wanting to dance?'
When an orphaned young woman is taken in by some local do-gooders, she is expected to be seen and not heard.
Dazzled by a pair of beautiful shoes, she sees in them an opportunity to shine - but soon her feet betray her, taking her to places she does not wish to go.
Nancy Harris's version of The Red Shoes is a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's extraordinary fairytale of dance, desire and destruction. It was first performed at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, in 2017 and revived in the version published here in 2024 at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, by the Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by Kimberley Rampersad.
When an orphaned young woman is taken in by some local do-gooders, she is expected to be seen and not heard.
Dazzled by a pair of beautiful shoes, she sees in them an opportunity to shine - but soon her feet betray her, taking her to places she does not wish to go.
Nancy Harris's version of The Red Shoes is a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's extraordinary fairytale of dance, desire and destruction. It was first performed at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, in 2017 and revived in the version published here in 2024 at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, by the Royal Shakespeare Company, directed by Kimberley Rampersad.
Reviews / Votes
'Enchanting... a winning mixture of live music, movement, dance and song' * Telegraph * 'Casts a spell on grown-ups and children alike' * The Times * 'Darkly spectacular... a bold retelling' * Irish Times * 'A judiciously light touch and appealingly twisted humour... brilliantly ghoulish... Harris' update succeeds in suggesting some intriguing angles that will feel particularly resonant for young audiences encountering the story for the first time' * The Stage * 'Dark and delicious' * Irish Independent * 'Charming yet spooky... mixes song and dance with a witty dash of macabre' * Irish Mail on Sunday * 'Fabulously creepy... delightfully sinister... sublime dance routines... The Red Shoes barely puts a foot wrong' * WhatsOnStage * 'A dark, delicious treat... the show's many comedic moments are an absolute riot... this production absolutely holds its own against other adaptations of Andersen's fairytale, embracing the darker elements of the story whilst also creating something strikingly original... hugely funny and an absolute pleasure to watch' * Reviews Hub * 'Bold and imaginative... a script that is both witty and deeply poignant... an absolute delight... a spellbinding triumph... daring, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining-a Christmas treat that lingers long after the final bow' * West End Best Friend *More details
Series
Edition
stage version
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
168 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83904-414-4 (9781839044144)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Hans Christian Andersen | Nancy Harris
The Red Shoes
E-Book
11/2024
Nick Hern Books
€16.99
Available for download
Previous edition

Hans Christian Andersen | Nancy Harris
The Red Shoes
Book
12/2017
Nick Hern Books
€32.37
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Nancy Harris is a playwright from Dublin. Her acclaimed plays include Somewhere Out There You (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), Two Ladies (Bridge Theatre, London), The Beacon (Druid and Gate Theatre, Dublin; Irish Rep, New York City) and Our New Girl (Bush Theatre, London).