Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre
Until Kendall Feaver got her presumably ink-smeared playwright’s hands on it, Ballet Shoes had, inexplicably, never seen an adaptation for the stage. This, despite making it to the screen more than once and being a much-adored children’s novel (penned in 1936 by Noel Streatfeild) besides. Feaver, director Katy Rudd, a fine cast featuring some gifted debutants and of course a comprehensive team at the National Theatre demonstrate, through a polished and deeply splendid production, that this is folly of the highest order.
A twee interwar charm is firmly established from the off, and the origins of adopted sisters Pauline (Nina Cassells), Petrova (Sienna Arif-Knights) and Posy (Scarlett Monahan) Fossil are explained. The exposition in this play is handled very well indeed, with slick, comedic stagework and a sparkling clarity of storytelling, which barely slips throughout. The sisters’ characterful warmth is embedded via lifelike scenes of communal discovery, highlighting their tender relationships, among themselves and with their guardian Sylvia (Anoushka Lucas) and pious but much-loved housekeeper Nana (Lesley Nicol).
An effective formula has been found in this production for conveying a lot in not much time, all while remaining comprehensible and boldly entertaining enough to remain family-friendly. Montage-like scenes are rife and do the legwork in achieving this rare and very welcome effect, with the help of all manner of creative props, adaptive scenery and what can only be imagined to be some precise and technical blocking. The soundtrack is also a key driver of this: deep, involved and inventive, employed cinematically but sufficiently sparingly, and ingeniously incorporating elements of some of the great ballet scores.
The set is conventional, perhaps verging on pedestrian, but it certainly carries appeal and versatility enough to serve its purpose. Meanwhile, the ensemble’s hovering, followed by a momentary bout of immersive audience participation pre-show, felt underprepared. Nevertheless, these factors do little to take away from an otherwise superb production.
A key spectacle for the family through the Christmas period and into the new year, the National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes melds intricacy of production, emotive storytelling, delightful visuals, and cunning humour into this charming, charming tale.
Will Snell
Photos: Alastair Muir
Ballet Shoes is at the National Theatre from 26th November 2025 until 21st February 2026. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
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