Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes

Meow Meow’s The Red Shoes is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic tale of The Red Shoes. A star vehicle for Meow Meow (the alter ego of Melissa Madden Gray), this is a big production that fills His Majesty’s Theatre, with this building’s grandeur a perfect space for this dark tale.

The set, a clever creation by Dan Barber, features a large garbage pile on one side, from which emerges props, instruments and people, and may or may not represent Meow Meow’s mind. The large stage is used well by Meow Meow with her three instrumentalists and fellow actor, Kanen Breen, Mark Jones, Mark Witton and Jethro Woodward, all fabulously talented multitaskers who contribute in multiple clever ways.

A fabulous singer and dynamic performer, internationally recognised cabaret performer works the crowd well, including an excursion into the audience to appropriate handbags. Funny and clever, she improvises well, as we go through a Godot like journey waiting for the story of The Red Shoes.

A story that takes multiple turns and showcases a strong talent; this Red Shoes adjacent story features a lot of red shoes but is a long way from the original story or the renowned ballet. Still a very interesting watch that charmed a capacity Opening Night crowd.

Kimberley Shaw