Snow Queen

Rachel Nielsen’s pun-filled script of The Snow Queen written especially for Comberton Players’ was inspired by (and tenuously based on) the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Anderson.  

Comberton Village Hall has no stage, therefore the Players have to build one for their shows so space and facilities are limited. The author had set the set design team of Kate Halford, Carmen T and Atticus B an enormous challenge with her script, calling as it did not only for four backdrops but also two large masking flats.  Incredible artwork on the four backdrops The Town of Hyggelig, together with a Scandinavian Spring, Autumn and Winter was all absolutely splendid and what an ingenious way of quickly changing the cloths with no facilities to fly anything. Well done to the stage management team.  The static masking flats were also very good especially that with the excellent map with which the effervescent Fairy Tale (Rachel Nielsen) helped us follow the rescuers’ journey.  This, coupled with the splendid props by Glynis Ellis and Mole Piotrowicz, you could say the author’s challenge was well met and then some.

Lighting (Patrick N, Dan Edwards & Atticus B) was good as were the well cued sound effects (Dan Blackburn). Costumes were a confusing mixture of Christmas jumpers, every day clothes and panto costumes.  I couldn’t quite decide what, if any, theme was employed but the Snow Queen and Jack Frost looked great as did the Make-up (Madeleine T and Carmen T). 

Musical Director Beth Walthew together with Andy Borman and Adrian Dunlop made up the first-rate band, never once overpowering the voices.  Vocal talents varied but all the Ensemble numbers were excellent and obviously well rehearsed. Choreography (Victoria Saul, Freya N & Rachel Nielsen) was minimal as the large cast filled the stage for the majority of the ensemble numbers which limited movement to an extent but everyone knew what they were doing and it looked fine, particularly the numbers which were signed.  

In the town of Hyggelig, reputedly declared by the Happiness Research Institute as the Happiest Town in the World we met best friends Gerda (Freya N) and Kai (Clemence J).  However, Hyggelig didn’t stay happy for long when the Snow Queen  kidnapped brainiac Kai to solve a puzzle.  This sets in train the journey by Gerda and friends to rescue Kai which takes a whole year through the Scandinavian Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Freya gave a bravura performance as Gerda matched by Clemence as Kai both were also extremely confident.  Well done.  On Gerda’s team of rescuers were reluctant hero Harold Bluetooth well played by Bill Adams, Widow Dough played by Elliott Noble, Widower Woolley play by Ben Froste and Barbara playing herself. 

It is not often you see the baddie in the title role but Graham Seed as the Snow Queen was excellent throughout the show and together with Jack Frost (Mole Piotrowicz) and Reporters Scoop (Eve E) and Hack (Samaah P) made up an absolutely splendid quartet of baddies.

With a cast of thirty everyone had something to do and say and all provided great support to the Principals. It was impressive to see so many young cast members all doing so well and being confident in their abilities and I hope that they continue to be involved. After all this was how some of the adult cast started.  Well done all.  Regrettably with so many involved it would not be possible to name anywhere near all those who took part. However, a few people do need to be mentioned so “shout outs” to Victoria Saul (Sun Queen), Lydia B (Snowdrop), Chiara D (Dandelion), Bea E (Ulf), Lillia N (Runedolf), Yogendra Parmar (Gorn & Father Christmas) and especially Jude Simpson strong in each of her three well-defined roles. I particularly enjoyed the “Viking Scene”. 

Well done writer and Director Rachel Nielsen and Comberton Players for bringing a Scandinavian feel to the Comberton stage.  Although pace fluctuated a bit in act one it picked up well in act two giving the audience all available opportunities to join in - which they certainly did.  Reading the programme it is obvious this was a team effort from everyone involved, as well as family and friends, who gave their all to ensure the show’s success. Congratulations everyone. 

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