Fascinating Facts: Don Quixote Shoes

The character Gamache wears flamboyant shoes that match his costume, with the blue satin matching the colour of his wig and the bows matching those found elsewhere on his costume. Additionally, Swarovski crystals were used to make the bows.

The shoes come purely white at a minimum of £350 per pair. They are then hand-painted with water-based silk dye in house.

Dancers' shoes are transported in a skip on tour. The skip contains ten pairs of pointe shoes for each female dancer.

Olivia Chang Clarke, one of our female Artists, performs the role of Sancho Panza in Don Quixote. The role is traditionally performed by a male dancer, so her shoes had to be made specially. When they saw the petite foot measurements, the manufacturer – Theatrical Footwear Gamba – had to confirm with me that they were indeed making the shoes for a woman.

The shoes in Don Quixote are a mix of pointe shoes and theatrical, character shoes.