Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Red Shoes

Every girl needs a pair of red shoes, we are told. But they are dangerous and if not kept under control, they will lead you to a sad and grisly perdition.

This dark tale collected by Hans Christian Andersen is reimagined for radio by Frances Byrnes and stars Lizzy Watts as the teenage Karen whose vanity and skittishness compel her to demand a forbidden pair of red shoes. But as she had been warned on countless occasions, the red shoes are so imbued with sin and lasciviousness that they utterly destroy her both spiritually and corporally. In so doing, this version of The Red Shoes shirks none of Anderson's ruthlessness or darkness. Fairytale this may be but its bleak warning against wanton behaviour under threat of a violent and bloody demise, holds nothing back from young and old alike.

In The Red Shoes is reimagined for Radio by Frances Byrnes.

The Red Shoes was directed in Belfast by Eoin O'Callaghan.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 27 Dec 2013 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Karen Lizzy Watts
Give Lizzy McInnerny
Old Lady Barri Adair
The Soldier Richard Dormer
The Shoemaker David Horowitz
The Pastor Patrick Fitzsymons
The Executioner Mark Lambert
The Little Girl Amy Lee Farmer
Writer Frances Byrnes
Director Eoin O'Callaghan

Broadcasts

  • Sat 29 Dec 2012 14:30
  • Fri 27 Dec 2013 21:00

Drama of the Week Podcast

Download a new drama from Radio 4 or Radio 3 every week.