In one of his best works, Matthew Bourne transforms the classic 1948 Powell and Pressburger film, The Red Shoes, into a dance-drama that uses Bourne’s gift for storytelling in full force. The audience is whirled through the tragic story of Vicky Page, the dancer who must choose between her art and her heart on her quest to become the world’s best ballerina.
It’s December, and that can only mean one thing in the dance world: it’s Nutcracker season.
On top of not one, not two, but three productions featuring Clara, the Sugarplum Fairy and co, there’s a new hip hop take on A Christmas Carol by ZooNation, and Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes is back.
Here’s the best dance in London this December.
India is in charge of dance listings at Time Out. She was first shoved into a leotard and ballet shoes aged four, and has loved it ever since. Nowadays India prefers contemporary (or dancing in a sweaty club) to ballet, but still has a soft spot for the odd grand jeté every now and again. India has been reviewing dance in London since joining Time Out in 2022.
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