The Red Shoes: A Dark Fairy Tale of Ambition and Sacrifice

The French musical "The Red Shoes" is making its Shanghai debut at Shanghai City Theater this week.

Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, "The Red Shoes" tells a story of passion, desire, and liberation. Isabelle, a pure-hearted young woman, travels to Paris to fulfill her dream of becoming the prima ballerina at the Opera House.

Choreographer Victor is preparing an almost mad project – a cursed ballet. Legend has it that the Devil has long haunted the opera house and hidden a pair of red ballet shoes there. These enchanted shoes carry a curse: whoever wears them will achieve glory, but must forsake love.

Victor tirelessly searches for his leading lady, and the red shoes themselves choose the radiant Isabelle as their prima ballerina.

A handsome young journalist falls in love with Isabelle. Caught between the heights of fame and the stirrings of her soul, Isabelle must make her choice.

Benjamin Siksou, who plays the journalist, and Guilhem Valayé, who plays the choreographer, are both original cast members from the production.

As classical ballet merges with dark, gothic aesthetics, audiences are presented not with a children's tale, but with a brutal question for adults: which is more precious – ambition or freedom?

Performance info

Dates: August 21-23, 2:30pm/7:30pm

Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Venue: Shanghai City Theater 上海城市剧院

Address: 4889 Dushi Rd 都市路4889号