Richard Thomas’ Shoes Transfers to Peacock

Best known for co-creating the smash hit show Jerry Springer – The Opera, Richard Thomas has turned his attention to footwear. Commissioned by Sadler’s Wells and working with a team of collaborators Thomas set out to create a song and dance revue show, writing songs that reflected the many memories and emotions people associate with shoes.

Billed as a dance revue the show explores “the gamut of footwear, from the highs of the Louboutin to the lows of the croc”, with songs including “Vex in the City”, “Imelda Marcos Argues with the Nation” and “The Flip-Flop Paradigm”. In addition to 12 dancers, the production features four singers (Australia’s chart-topper Kate Miller-Heidke and West End stars Alison Jiear, Simon Gleeson and Tim Howar appeared at Sadler’s Wells) and a live band.

Speaking about the transfer Thomas said: “People love to talk about their shoe memories. Some stories were funny, some were moving, some were alarmingly devious and others heart-stoppingly expensive. All these stories informed the songs for the show and seem to connect with the audiences that have seen it so far. It’s fantastic that what began as a simple idea, can now extend its life into the West End.”

Shoes director and choreographer Stephen Mear collaborated with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (zero degrees, Sutra), Aletta Collins (Bloom, The Tempest, Jesus Christ Superstar), Kate Prince (Into the Hoods) and Mark Smith (Deaf Men Dancing) to create the piece. It has design by Tom Pye, with costume by Laura Hopkins and lighting design by Chris Davey.