THE dancers set to grace the stage in the world premiere tour of Matthew Bourne's production of The Red Shoes have been named.

The magical new adaptation of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film, which tells the tale of obsession, possession and one girls' dream to be the greatest dancer in the world, is coming to Mayflower Theatre next spring.

As previously announced, Victoria Page, the girl who dreams of being a great dancer, immortalised on screen by Moira Shearer, will be created by New Adventures star, Ashley Shaw, most recently seen across the UK and internationally as Aurora in Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty. Rising star and fellow Aurora, Cordelia Braithwaite, will also play the role, along with Sleeping Beauty favourite Katrina Lyndon in her principal role debut.

Sam Archer who created the title role of Edward Scissorhands in 2005 and who has starred in Cinderella, The Car Man and Play Without Words returns to the Company to play the iconic role of Svengali-like Impresario Boris Lermentov. One of New Adventures’ finest leading men, Chris Trenfield, will also play Lermentov, as well as musical genius, Julian Kraster; the man with whom Victoria Page falls in love. Sharing the role of Julian will be one of New Adventures most popular dancers, Dominic North, who was this year nominated for his second National Dance Award, along with rising star Andrew Monaghan who has already debuted leading roles in Swan Lake, The Car Man and Sleeping Beauty.

Completing the principal cast are the leading dancers of the Lermentov Company. Prima Ballerina, Irina Boronskya will be played by Michela Meazza, returning to New Adventures where she has danced and created many leading roles (including Lady H in Dorian Gray, Joyce in Edward Scissorhands and The Stepmother in Cinderella). She is joined by Company favourites Anjali Mehra, most recently seen as both The Queen and The Girlfriend in Swan Lake and Nicole Kabera, currently playing Queen Eleanor in Sleeping Beauty.

Ivan Boleslawsky, the role made famous by Robert Helpmann will be created by one of New Adventures finest young dancers, Liam Mower, who was the original West End Billy Elliot but now taking on his seventh principal role with New Adventures. Also playing Ivan is Danny Reubens, who proved a hit as Jack in Lord Of The Flies.

The Red Shoes reunites Matthew Bourne with his regular collaborators and the team that brought you Sleeping Beauty; Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).

It is set to a new score arranged by Terry Davies using the mesmerising music of golden-age Hollywood composer, Bernard Herrmann.

Tickets for the show, which runs from March 21 to 25, are on sale now from 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk