My first ever feature-length ballet viewing took place on Christmas night - when this performance was screening on the BBC. My partner being a big ballet fan - and me not being familiar with either the form or the Powell & Pressburger original film - I thought it would be impenetrably challenging as a watch. It turned out to be hugely engaging - the set and costume design alone made it remarkable and the dancing, well, it was amazing of course. It managed to evoke 1940s cinema very strikingly and showed off the form to the initiated (me) with serious conviction. Not festive in theme, but a very good shout from those deciding the Christmas schedules!
Review of Matthew Bourne's the Red Shoes
