Meow Meow Brings The Red Shoes to Perth Festival in a Celebrated Collaboration
Perth Festival and Black Swan State Theatre Company are proud to present Meow Meow's The Red Shoes at His Majesty's Theatre, marking another highlight in the 2026 festival lineup. This production, co-produced by the two esteemed organizations, showcases the talents of Australian-born international cabaret sensation Meow Meow, also known as Melissa Madden Gray, a WA Academy of Performing Arts alumna.
A Deep Connection with Perth Festival
Meow Meow has long cherished Perth Festival, considering herself a regular performer over the years. From early shows at Beck's Music Box and Wunderschon at Octagon Theatre to Meow Meow's The Little Mermaid and the orchestrated chaos of Pandemonium, her experiences have been numerous and beloved. "It's a very special festival," she shares. "When I come to Perth, it's like walking into a space where you feel like the sky's the limit."
This enduring bond is evident in her 2026 programming, which not only includes The Red Shoes but also featured appearances at Perth Symphony Orchestra's David Bowie tribute, Rebel Rebel, at the East Perth Power Station on February 13. Additionally, she performed a sold-out, one-night-only show at The Embassy on February 15 with former Perth Festival artistic director Iain Grandage, a long-time friend and collaborator.
Reimagining a Classic Fairytale
Meow Meow's The Red Shoes represents her third foray into the fairytales of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, following Meow Meow's Little Mermaid and Meow Meow's Little Match Girl. After premiering at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre in October and a season at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre, the show now graces His Majesty's Theatre. It seeks to rectify Andersen's dark 1840s morality tale, which punishes a young protagonist for vanity with an uncontrollable curse to dance.
Unsettled by the use of dance as a penalty rather than a cure, Meow Meow traveled to Copenhagen and Odense, Andersen's birthplace, as part of her quest to "fix" the story. She describes it as an endless treasure trove of human complexity. "That's what I find interesting to put on stage," she muses. Accompanied by tenor Kanen Breen, musicians Mark Jones and Dan Witton, and musical director Jethro Woodward, the show blends signature song and dance with profound narrative depth.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Reception
The production has already garnered significant acclaim, with an early February announcement revealing six Green Room Award nominations. These include categories for outstanding production, outstanding performance for Meow Meow, and outstanding direction for Black Swan State Theatre Company artistic director Kate Champion. "It's hilarious, but it's also quite a profound piece," Meow Meow notes. "You don't really know if it'll hit the spot until you get it to an audience, and we've been really lucky, because they loved it in Sydney and Melbourne."
Reflecting on the performance experience, she adds, "I love hearing an audience laugh, but I also love it when it's got that magic tension. Where you know you're with your colleagues on stage, there's this absolute complicity, and this sort of breathing with the audience. It's a rare and special thing when it happens."
Performance Details and Global Impact
Meow Meow's The Red Shoes will be performed at His Majesty's Theatre from February 26 to March 1. Tickets are available through blackswantheatre.com.au. This show underscores Meow Meow's ongoing connection with Perth and its people, as she continues to take a bit of the city with her on global stages, from New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Hollywood Bowl and London's West End.
As Perth Festival 2026 unfolds, this production stands as a testament to the vibrant arts scene and the collaborative spirit that defines the event, offering audiences a unique blend of humor, drama, and musical excellence.
