Ballet Shoes
22 November 2025
National Theatre
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Ballet Shoes, the National Theatre’s adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel, is currently running at the Olivier Theatre until 21 February, returning after last year’s sold out run.
Great Uncle Matthew, an avid explorer travelling the world to hunt for fossils of all kinds, takes on his orphaned great niece Sylvia, raising her in his large house stuffed to the brim with exhibits retrieved from his various adventures. But when he doesn’t return from his most recent expedition, Sylvia and housekeeper Nana are left to raise the three babies he had adopted during his various travels. As they slowly run out of funds, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil grow into rambunctious girls hungry for adventures of their own. With the help of the three fascinating lodgers taken in to help with their money problems, the three sisters discover their talents and work hard to make their dreams come true while discovering the true meaning of family.
The stage for this show is gorgeously imposing, shelves and exhibition pieces filling every corner high and low. Dinosaur skulls, animal skeletons, sketches and drawings, fossils of all kinds piled into large cabinets, reminding of natural history museums. Some movable scenery completes the dizzying stage design that feels comforting, like a well lived in home that reflects its occupants’ interests. There’s a storybook-like quality to the visuals, while the ensemble comes dressed in ballet gear, roaming through the audience and teaching children a few dance moves long before the performance even begins.
The story unfolds beautifully, with excellent pacing and plenty of dance interludes. Characters are very well developed with ambitions and interests of their own, from yearning to become a ballet dancer to a strong passion for engineering, all mixed with fossils and dinosaurs, there’s something here for everyone. A cosy and comforting story full of charming moments of connection, a delight for young and old alike.
