RED RED SHOES by Charles Way

London

RED RED SHOES
by Charles Way

Unicorn Theatre at The Place To 6 October 2001

New tour 25 April- 1 June 2002
Runs 1hr 25 min No interval

TICKETS 020 7387 0031
Review Timothy Ramsden 18 September

One of Britain’s leading writers for young people leads them over rough terrain in this free adaptation of Hans Andersen’s Red Shoes.Franvera expresses herself through dance. She’s given red shoes to dance in. Then she stops expressing herself at all. The black fragmented mountains that frame the action in Russell Craig’s set indicate why.

Her friend Ana is told to stop speaking to her, because Franvera doesn’t belong – ‘her people’ have to leave. At the border during this ethnic cleanse Franvera adds guilt to her uncomprehended misery when she unwittingly betrays her father to the guards.

Across the mountains hate gives birth to the revenge expressed by the soldier Red Beard. Franvera, too traumatised even to speak her name, becomes known as Red Shoes. For a time she communicates through drawings and apparently compulsive dancing. This is too much for Red Beard and in an ending at once downbeat and uplifting, she is shot by her own side.

It’s beautifully written but also very complex. Advertised as ‘inspired’ by Hans Andersen it’s a far cry from any expectations the link might arouse and young people without awareness of 1990s Balkan conflicts could find its impact remote. Additionally, the mix of text, movement and visual storytelling, plus the dislocations in time mean it is likely to fare best with young people who have had some preparation for its style and historical/political context.

This might seem severe but it’s better than yet more candyfloss shows and respects (though I suspect at times exceeds) young people’s ability to respond to serious issues in stories.

Tony Graham directs this hard Way skilfully and there are good performances, notably from Christine Devaney as Franvera and Simon Thomson as the destructively military Red Beard.

2001-09-24 00:38:56