The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen

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Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Often when you take the children along to children’s theatre you know that while a show might be enjoyable, it isn’t going to have a huge impact on you or your family. And that is where Snow Queen differs and why it’s so important that you go and see it with your children.

This beautifully constructed play is about a young girl called Luna, who is frustrated by the fact that the planet is warming up and no one seems to care. She dreams of being an activist and making a change in the world. She is definitely channelling her inner Greta Thunberg.

Worried by the length of time it has been since it snowed last, she begins by writing letters to the Snow Queen: the decider of the weather. But she receives no response. Frustrated yet undeterred, young Luna embarks on a quest to go and confront the Snow Queen herself and get some answer to her many, many questions. 

On her journey she meets different characters played by the wonderful Molly Grace-Cutler. She meets Horton, a hoarding tortoise, then my personal favourite, Frost, a gadget obsessed polar bear (giving of East 17 vibes) and finally Oops, an overworked elf who is tired of the impersonal workplace that the North Pole has become.

Molly Grace- Cutler is marvellous in all these roles, bringing many accents and characters to life. And some pretty good guitar playing skills too!

Luna, played by Amy Tara, is a wonderful role model to our children, her portrayal is thought provoking and empowering. She engaged the younger audience members and still managed to challenge our thinking throughout.

Then finally, the Snow Queen, themselves, what a breath of fresh air they are. An elegant and humorous delivery from Richard Priestly. It is no surprise that Richard has much experience in young people’s theatre. He is majestic in this role – I love that the role of the snow queen is represented as “they” and “them”, my child didn’t question the Snow Queen’s gender at any time during or after the performance. Because the Snow queen is just that…the Snow Queen-a being that is beautiful, powerful and mighty, but also vulnerable and having feelings of being fed up with the world and how the behaviour of its inhabitants is harming the planet and no-one really cares. But once Luna comes along and shows the Snow Queen that they have the power to help reverse things and save the planet, things change, and for the better.

I loved this. It was such a refreshing change from the familiar Christmas shows, the Waterside have made an excellent decision putting this on as their festive offering.

A musical tale, with much heart and hope, with a message for us all to take away – a chance for us all to change the world. Thank you Wrongsemble for inspiring my child through theatre.

The Snow Queen is on at Waterside Arts until Saturday 30th December tickets available here.

The Snow Queen

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chester Storyhouse are offering audiences a fabulously festive alternative to panto this year with an imaginative retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen.

Writer Charles Wray has adapted and opened up the story ensuring all four seasons get their moment in the spotlight while it’s themes of kindness and friendship remain a strong constant throughout as we see Gerda on her journey to find her best friend Cei who has been taken under the spell of the evil Snow Queen.

This modernised version feels bright and inventive with a strong cast who play multiple roles with an easy versatility. Rosemarie Akwafo gives us a loyal and determined Gerda who despite the odds never loses hope of finding her best friend again. Taona Matope displays strong versatility as carefree schoolboy Cei whose life is completely turned around by the evil Snow Queen.

Lucy Tuck makes for a super sinister baddie and in true Snow Queen fashion is sparklier than the Strictly Mirrorball but colder than ice. Special mention also to Chloe Wade, her comic timing as each of her various characters is superb. The supporting cast who each take on multiple roles are a joy, clearly having great fun in this heart-warming, inventive production. There’s a tap dancing reindeer, an almost homage to Barbie and Ken and a fabulous dance off.

Director Hannah Noone has really brought the fun to this story while singer-songwriter Mared Williams heads up a fantastic live band who add enormously to this musical adventure. They play some stunning music with equally as impressive vocals all while perched within the set above the audience.

Designer Jacob Hughes has transformed the Storyhouse theatre into a stunning winter scene, it’s visually beautiful and hugely atmospheric. The raised staging offers a fantastic view from every seat in this beautiful theatre, so important when there’s little ones in many of the seats.

The Snow Queen offers something for all, from young children to seniors every single member of the audience enjoyed getting swept away on this magical adventure. The small section of audience interaction was so much fun and made me wish there had been a little bit more but this is a really minor point amidst many, many positives. This exploration of good versus evil is adventurous as well as entertaining and will warm you from the tip of your toes to the top of your head.

The Snow Queen is on at Chester’s Storyhouse until Sunday 15th January tickets available here.