Cast announced for The Red Shoes at the RSC’s Swan Theatre

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced casting for its upcoming production of The Red Shoes, a new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale by Nancy Harris.

The production, which follows a girl who is besotted by a pair of red shoes, will run at the Swan Theatre from 7 November 2024 to 19 January 2025 and is directed by Kimberley Rampersad, associate artistic director of Canada’s Shaw Festival.

Nikki Cheung (The Lion King) will make her RSC debut as Karen, the central character in the story – brought forwards to the 21st century in Harris’ new version. Joining her in the cast are Dianne Pilkington (The Wizard of Oz, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Wicked) and James Doherty (Come From Away, Chicago, House of the Dragon), also making their RSC debuts as Mariella and Bob, the couple who adopt Karen.

Sebastien Torkia, who previously played Mr Wormwood in the RSC’s Matilda The Musical, will take on the roles of the Priest and the shoemaker Sylvestor.

The full cast includes Julie Armstrong, Leslie Garcia Bowman, Momar Diagne, Joseph Edwards, Caití Ellen, Anya Ferdinand, Michael Lin, Mia Musakambeva, Kody Mortimer, Sakuntala Ramanee, Ben Redfern, and Alexandra Waite-Roberts.

The creative team for The Red Shoes features Colin Richmond (set and costume designer), Ryan Day (lighting designer), Marc Teitler (composer), Gregory Clarke (sound designer), Paul Kieve (illusionist), and Charlotte Sutton (casting director).

The RSC has also revealed initial casting for its festive production of Twelfth Night.