Synopsis

Karen’s mother has died, leaving her orphaned, when distant relatives, Mariella and Bob Nugent offer her a home. There, Karen meets their creepy son Clive - who likes to cut things up and near-blind housekeeper, Mags. The Nugents learn Karen loves to dance and force her to perform for the family, but when they see the way Karen dances, they mock her.

Mariella shows off her expensive wardrobe and a pair of sublime shoes, made by Sylvestor, the greatest shoemaker in the world. Mags takes Karen, who has only ill-fitting shoes, to meet Sylvestor. Karen is captivated by a pair of red shoes – she puts them on and immediately begins to dance wonderfully, finding a confidence she never had before.

Karen wears the red shoes to a dinner party at the Nugents’ house. She dances for the guests, but soon the shoes take on a chaotic life of their own, wreaking havoc and resulting in Mags having a heart attack.

In a desperate attempt to make up for the trouble she’s caused the Nugents, Karen offers to be Mags’ fulltime carer. When the Nugents leave Karen alone with a fevered Mags to go to a party, the shoes appear to Karen, along with Sylvestor’s invitation to a ball in the forest. Karen knows she shouldn’t go but…

Spoiler alert! Stop reading now if you don’t want to know how it ends…

At the ball Karen meets Prince, who is mesmerised by her dancing. When she tries to leave, Sylvestor stops her, and the red shoes drag her deeper into the forest. Clive finds her and tells her that Mags has died. Desperate now to stop the shoes from dancing, Karen begs Clive to help her. But there is only one way to free her from the shoes… to cut off her feet.

Later, Karen is in bed, and the ghost of Mags visits her, reminding her that she has a gift, and doesn’t need feet to dance.

Karen takes her crutches and returns to the forest. Prince finds her there, but recoils in horror when he sees that she has no feet, and she sees his true shallow nature. It begins to snow, and Karen starts to dance.

Age guidance: 7+ years. Parental discretion recommended for under 12s.