The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen is not one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most well-known fairy stories, so attempting to adapt it for a Pantomime was always going to be an ambitious project.  Ron Hall, Life Member of the Society, took up the challenge in writing the version for PMS, and was able to adapt it cleverly to work to the strengths of the society including lots of principal roles.   The story did have to be signposted along the way to ensure everyone in the audience kept up with the action but this did not detract from the overall performance, for which the cast of over 30, plus two teams of dancers, had clearly put in lots of effort.  Danielle Long as principal boy Peter gave a strong vocal performance and complimented the sweet voiced Courtney Brown as Gerda.   Maureen Symonds and Suzanne Booker as the Snow and Sun Queens respectively, worked their characters and the audience delightfully, two strong pantomime villains who both ultimately received their comeuppance.   Niamh Rose as Jack Frost gave a stand out performance and did Alice Rose as the feisty Roberta.   The Senior and Junior Dance troupes gave polished performances and their choreography complimented the overall action and development of the story.  The chorus also worked hard but at times it did look as though the stage was a little cramped.  The song choices worked well throughout and they were all satisfyingly accompanied by a confident orchestra.  The final flourish for this production was the standard of costumes, they had been thoughtfully collated, were beautifully presented and complimented the set design to give a really strong overall look to the show.  A tricky story well told to an appreciative audience. Well done to all involved.  

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