The Snow Queen

This was traditional pantomime with plenty of audience participation. It was well directed by Deborah making full use of the restricted space and accommodating a large cast, but still providing interesting movement. There was a good and varied selection of music which was well sung, although the settings were occasionally on the low side, a challenge to the singers but one they coped with.

There was the usual mixture of experience and youth on stage with Malcolm Pike, as a good traditional dame and together with George Earle as Helmut, making a great job of providing the humour and involving the audience. Louise Booth, Kai, and Katie Tindle, Gerda, worked well together with good performances as principle boy/girl.   Jeanette Adams was a very “evil” Snow Queen ably assisted by Sharon Hughes who also provided some very entertaining dance moves, while Judith Earle provided a nice contrast as Fairy Snowdrop. Mike Tomlinson linked the story effectively as Hans Christian Anderson, that worked well. Plenty of talent was on display in the other roles, especially from the younger members not least of which was Lettie Morrow as a delightful Caw, a young lady to watch for in future.

The dancing was very well choreographed and danced throughout, well done. The sets, including the backcloths, were fine and the stage management was efficient keeping the show moving throughout. The costumes were lovely and certainly added to the visual effect as indeed did the lighting.

It is always good to see the mix of experience and youth on stage, the younger members do learn a lot from the preparation and performances and judging from their enthusiasm in this performance I am sure they will be around for some time to come. It was a very entertaining performance and from the reaction of a virtual full house the audience certainly had a good time.    

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