Review Round-Up: BALLET SHOES at the National Theatre

Based on the beloved novel by Noel Streatfeild, Ballet Shoes is the story of the talented, artistic Fossil sisters: ambitious Pauline, headstrong Petrova, and whimsical Posy. Adopted and brought together by their eccentric Great Uncle Matthew, the sisters follow their dreams into the chaotic world of theatre and dancing while facing the challenges of growing up. Kendall Feaver and Kate Rudd (The Ocean at the End of the Lane) bring this charming story to life in its first major stage adaptation for the second year in a row, starring Nina Cassells as Pauline, Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova, and Scarlett Monahan as Posy.

What are critics saying about Ballet Shoes?

The Times

“Slick and soulful — I wept happy tears”

★★★★★

Dominic Maxwell was full of praise for “this wildly skilful and imaginative production”, perfect for all ages. “It’s a real yarn, a real tearjerker and a real laugh, often all at once,” he wrote. Compared to last year, he found “Katy Rudd’s handsomely playful production” to be “even slicker, even more soulful, even more at ease with its copious theatrical conceits.” The cast, especially the three young girls, impressed him, as did Frankie Bradshaw’s set design. The story, he thought, has “the beats of every classic hero’s journey…all wrapped up in a story of genteel poverty, female emancipation and barre work.”

Read the review here.

Musical Theatre Review

"As inventive as it is heartfelt"

★★★★★

Elisha Owen thought the cluttered set "captures the imagination" and "transforms effortlessly" as the story evolves. "The cast," she wrote, "is charming across the board", with special praise to Justin Salinger, "who plays multiple roles with impeccable comedic timing", while Sienna Arif Knights played Petrova "with great heart". Calling the production "a celebration of curiosity, courage and the joy of discovering what lights you up", she thought it captured the story's themes with cleverness and nuance. Her verdict: "a lovingly crafted production that leaves you fuller, warmer and a little more alive."

Read the review here.

All That Dazzles

"Magnificent and jaw-dropping"

★★★★★

Daz Gale thought the production was "even slicker" than the previous year, "managing to bring something new while remaining comfortably familiar". He thought Kendall Feaver adapted the familiar story with "heart and humour, ensuring a warm tale of dreams, family and the essence of humanity", that balances laugh out loud moments with "poignant and sensitive scenes". He praised "the playful nature of the staging", which featured "some truly astonishing sequences", brought to life by the "fantastic choreography of Ellen Kane". He wrote, "Frankie Bradshaw’s gorgeous set design creates a magical, larger-than-life world" and thought the three young actresses were "remarkable" as the sisters, "with their chemistry bringing a warmth and authenticity to their sisterhood."

Read the review here.

The cast of BALLET SHOES at the National Theatre. Photo by Alastair Muir.

The Stage

“Nimble and twinkling”

★★★★

Sam Marlowe enjoyed the “stagey pizzzaz” or Katy Rudd’s direction and Frankie Bradshaw’s set design with its “shell-shaped footlights and swishing fringed theatre curtains”. He appreciated how the production tackled the story’s thematic concerns, and how it “highlights the story’s gender politics with an adroit lightness of touch. Joyously, the results are neither preachy, nor twee.” He also praised the cast: “every one of the performers brings an attention to detail and an unfussy sincerity to characters that are boldly drawn, yet rich in satisfying texture.” The actresses playing the sisters, he wrote, “are the beating heart of it all.”

Read the review here.

London Box Office

“Thoroughly engaging and delightful”

★★★★

Stuart King found the production “thoroughly engaging and delightful” and “a clarion call to young women and girls everywhere” that stays true to the book’s themes. Like other critics, he was impressed by the “imaginative, whimsical and frenetic set”. He was amused by Justin Salinger, who acts as “the running gag of the piece, frequently popping-up in gender-defying garb as age-defying characters.”

Read the review here.

The Standard

“The return of this adaptation of a children’s classic book is a thrilling delight”

★★★★

Nick Curtis thought the production “thrills again with its spry visual ingenuity and gung-ho warmth.” “The box-of tricks set confirmed Frankie Bradshaw as one of our most ingenious designers last year and the choreography by Ellen Kane remains a joy,” he wrote. He was also full of praise for the trio of young actresses, especially Arif-Knights in her stage debut as Petrova, and the “aching tenderness” that Anoushka Lucas brought as Sylvia. “The three young leads work beautifully if antagonistically together and get to shine separately in showcase scenes,” he wrote. His verdict: “a splendid piece of inventive theatre that’s also great family entertainment.”

Read the review here.

The Upcoming

“A polished and deeply splendid production”

★★★★

Will Snell thought that "the exposition in this play is handled very well indeed, with slick, comedic stagework and a sparkling clarity of storytelling", which highlighted the "tender relationships" between the characters. Calling it "boldly entertaining enough to remain family-friendly", he praised the "creative props, adaptive scenery and what can only be imagined to be some precise and technical blocking", as well as the soundtrack: "deep, involved and inventive, employed cinematically but sufficiently sparingly". The production, he wrote, "melds intricacy of production, emotive storytelling, delightful visuals, and cunning humour into this charming, charming tale."

Read the review here.

Ballet Shoes is playing at the National Theatre until February 21st 2026. While it will appeal to everyone, ballet lovers in particular are sure to adore this love letter to ballet told in theatre form. And if you're eager to see more ballet performed onstage, check out our list of Ballet, Dance, and Opera in London.