Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre

Noel Streatfield’s classic children’s story is brought to vivid life in its theatre debut. Incorporating a lively blend of dance, puppetry and a whole lot of magic, Ballet Shoes is a joyous show with plenty of heart.

Charming and sincere in its rendering, the ensemble are perfectly cast. Depicting the lives of the three Fossil sisters, all adopted by a great uncle Matthew (the first of five portrayals by Justin Salinger) affectionately referred to as Gum, this adaptation – directed by Katy Rudd and written by Kendall Feaver – befits the warm and intimate nature of the novel.

There is something here for both children and adults alike, with its trinkets of life advice, and humorous Wildean lines for the older attendees. Gum is a well-meaning madcap palaeontologist, going on constant adventures, leaving his niece Sylvia (Pearl Mackie) and the three children, Pauline (Grace Saif), Petrova (Yanexi Enriquez) and Posy (Daisy Sequerra) to fend for themselves. Although Gum is away for a large section of the play, Salinger always shines in his performances, and is a revelation. When he goes missing for several years, Sylvia, and Nana (Jenny Galloway), the Bible-referencing housemaid, are left to raise the siblings. The two soon realise they need to advertise for lodgers, and sure enough, dancer Theo Dane (Nadine Higgin) and Dr Jakes (Helena Lymbury) join the adventures that go on in 999 Cromwell Road.

The interior of their home is a display of ancient fossils, collected by Gum, and painted by Sylvia, the set design intimate and inviting, while choreography from Ellen Kane provides all the dance sparkle we need.

Eldest sister Pauline often gets into fights at school, meanwhile finding her passion for acting and getting a helping hand from the formidable Dr Jakes. While Russian-born Petrova is a car and engine fanatic, and gets to work in a garage with the new tenant Jai Saran (Sid Sagar.) A determined and naturally gifted dancer, Posy aspires to be a world-class ballerina like her mother. When things start becoming challenging with a lack of money, the sisters vow to help keep everyone together by getting as many jobs on stage as possible; in one hilarious scene, the trio are actors in an avant-garde rendition of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, drawing generous laughter from the audience. Madame Fidolia is grandly portrayed by Salinger – think Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire, very funny but with a melancholic streak – while her life is beautifully rendered in the magical stage design. And a genuinely gleeful moment occurs when Petrova flies high above the audience, a thrilling moment for all.

Growing up with this classic, and now seeing Streatfield’s beloved book adapted on stage, youngsters will be encouraged to follow their dreams, while older audience members may look back longingly at their own childhoods.

Selina Begum
Photo: Manuel Harlan

Ballet Shoes is at the National Theatre from 5^th until 22^nd December 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.