The Red Shoes
a one-act adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story
by Kathleen Lockwood
About the Play:
Originally written and produced in 1986 for a High School One Act Play Festival, The Red Shoes went on to win Best Play and Best Original Play. The actress dancing the role of Karen won Best Performer. An effort should be made to borrow an antique wheelchair for Narrator Karen. She portrays a double amputee from the knee down.
The Characters:
Narrator Karen a white-haired woman of indeterminate age. Narrates from a wheelchair
Dancing Karen a young girl
Lila, Karen’s friend
Yvonne, Another friend
Mother
Mother’s Ghost
The Dowager
The Princess
The Priest
The Shoemaker
The Ringmaster
Clowns
Townspersons
Musicians
The Setting:
Main Street in a quaint Danish village, indicated with backdrop, a street sign, perhaps a tree or flowering bush.
The Time:
long ago, on the day of the annual town parade
Music:
throughout, a mixture of Northern European folk tunes and calliope for the circus
The Scenes:
Prologue, The Parade, Epilogue
From the play:
(as pall bearers carry her mother off, Shoemaker approaches Karen.)
Shoemaker: Psssst!
Karen: (looking up) Oh, it’s you. My mother told me to have nothing to do with you. You are greedy and evil, and you will try to hurt me.
Shoemaker: (innocently) I wonder why anyone would say that about me? I’m only a poor shoemaker who likes to see people get what they want. I know what you want, and I have it right here.
Karen: Please, Sir. Leave me alone. This is a tragic day for me.
Shoemaker: But, look! What I have created for you. (he shows her a beautiful pair of red dancing shoes)
Karen: (gasps) Ooh! But they are exquisite!
Shoemaker: Go on, touch them. Just put them on.
Karen: They are more beautiful than the ones worn by the princess. I want to…to put them…
The Priest: Karen? The Dowager wishes to speak to you. It’s important.
Karen: (suddenly confused) Yes, Father. I’ll be right there. (she looks dreamily back to the red shoes in the Shoemaker’s hands.) Why do I long so much to hold them? Are they bewitched?
Shoemaker: No, my dear. Just a tiny bit of magic I made into them. As soon as you put them on, The Red Shoes will dance with you until all your sadness is gone. (he laughs his wicked laugh)
Karen: (leaning towards the shoes) My mother must have been wrong about you. These are just so, so
Dowager: Come here, Child. (Karen turns and leaves the Shoemaker)
The Priest: Karen, the generous Dowager wishes to take you into her home and raise you as her own, since there is no one left to care for you.
Karen: That would be most kind. I hope I won’t be any trouble.
Dowager: I will enjoy your youthful company. I want to see to your religious education and provide for your future. It will be good for both of us.
Karen: I am grateful.
The Priest: Good! The whole business is settled. Dowager, may I ask you..(The Priest and Dowager walk off in friendly conversation. Karen is left smiling, until The Shoemaker comes up to her.)
Shoemaker: I thought you wanted to dance. (his voice grows subtle) You wished to dance before Kings! She’ll never let you.
Karen: (sharply) Don’t talk like that!
Shoemaker: Put these on. Just try them. Red shoes more beautiful than the Princess’s. No more boring Church. No stupid lesson. Just the music and the dance. (Karen is again drawn towards the shoes. She reaches out, and)
Dowager: Come, Child, we must get home. I’ll send someone for your things.
Karen: (drawn back to the world again) Yes Ma’am. ( She exits with Priest and Dowager)
Shoemaker: As soon as she puts them on, she’s mine. The spell takes her for the rest of her life. Ha ha ha ha ha! The more she wears them, the more she dances. The more she dances, the more she’s mine!
