The Best Christmas Show?
olivier
Noel Streatfeild’s popular children’s novel about aspiring ballerinas has been faithfully adapted by Kendall Feave, albeit with a few nods to modern times, and directed by Katy Rudd, with choreography by Ellen Kane. Likely to be the best reviewed Christmas show in London, it received a corps of 5 and 4 stars from the critics with only a pas de deux of 3 star reviews.
[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]
At the i (5★), Fiona Mountford announced, ‘here is a real Christmas cracker from the National Theatre’, saying it ‘has been exuberantly adapted by Kendall Feaver in a manner so skilful it will please the novel’s generations of fans while simultaneously enchanting a whole new audience.’
The Standard‘s Nick Curtis (5★) declared, ‘This delicious show about three female foundlings forging their own identities, and a makeshift family, in a house full of oddballs in interwar London absolutely bowled me over.’ He explained: ‘Katy Rudd’s production may not have the dazzle and snark of last year’s NT Christmas hit, The Witches, but in its celebration of plucky women and old-school values – personal and theatrical – it never puts a foot wrong. The acting ensemble is excellent, the choreography (by Ellen Kane) and stagecraft sublime, and Frankie Bradshaw’s sets wonderfully simple.’
For The Telegraph‘s Dominic Cavendish (5★), the girls’ voyage of discovery is … thrilling and catches a collective joy achieved through pluck and grit. He found Rudd’s fleet, beautiful production…has a lightness of touch on all fronts.’
Sarah Crompton at WhatsOnStage (5★) stated, ‘adaptor Kendall Feaver and director Katy Rudd have done a magnificent job….Above all the staging, fluidly choreographed by Ellen Kane (with Jonathan Goddard), creates its own magic, making a story that is full of love for the self-realising powers of theatre and dance into a transformative experience in itself.’ She summed up, ‘It’s a Christmas show with heart, soul and a flurry of movement to sweep you away.’
Alice Saville in The Independent (5★) ‘Ballet Shoes is as delicately balanced as a dancer en pointe as it leaps between its period setting and the present, finding ways to diversify and complexify this story in ways that never feel lazy or jarring. It’s a Christmas treat for every possible kind of family.’
The Times’ Clive Davis (4★) called it ‘a beguiling play with music that exemplifies the very best of the National’s production values.’ He went on to talk of a ‘magnificent’ set and ‘exuberant’ performances.
The Guardian‘s Arifa Akbar (4★) decided, ‘Under the direction of Katy Rudd, this is an exquisite Christmas cracker of a show, albeit an elegant one that never quite let its hair down, but still it is filled with spectacular theatricality and fabulous performances all round.’ Getting into detail, she said, ‘Samuel Wyer’s costumes dazzle and Frankie Bradshaw’s set is no less than luminous … while Ash J Woodward’s video projections and Paule Constable’s lighting create the almost magical effect of movement: dinosaurs lurch and sea waves swish across the stage.’ She concluded, ‘The old-style, big-band music, composed by Asaf Zohar, captures a bygone time and Ellen Kane’s precious choreography captures the gorgeousness of a silver-screen musical.’
Chris Omaweng for LondonTheatre1 (4★) said, ‘this may not be a perfect show, but it excels in being uplifting and inspiring without being overly saccharine.’
Julia Rank at LondonTheatre (4★) – not to be confused with the rival ticket selling website above- enthused ‘Frankie Bradshaw’s gorgeous set, a cabinet of curiosities, recalls the first room in the V&A’s Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition, beautifully lit by Paule Constable. In an avant-garde production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with robot-esque costumes, the tenderhearted Petrova gets her chance to defy gravity and discovers her voice in the process.’ She said ‘Ellen Kane’s choreography is a delight and always organic.’ She concluded, ‘It might not hit the heights of last year’s National Theatre Christmas show The Witches, but still a very winning fairy on top of the Christmas tree for this season.’
In The Stage (3★), Holly O’Mahony had more reservations than the other critics but still concluded: ‘If it could do with a little more challenge and excitement, it’s still a loveable, big-hearted production that captures imaginations and tickles the humour of audiences of all ages.’
Andrzej Lukowski in Time Out (3★) said, ‘It’s slick, classy and meticulously directed by Katy Rudd. But ultimately it lacks dramatic punch.’
Critics’ Average Rating 4.3★
Value Rating 54 (Value rating is the Average Critic Rating divided by the typical ticket price)
Ballet Shoes is at the National Theatre until 22 February 2025. Click here to buy tickets direct.
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