The Snow Queen

I have seen several adaptations of The Snow Queen over the years, which were all different and this was different again. One look at the cast list in the programme showed that the story had been turned the into a ‘proper’ Pantomime. The usual pantomime characters of Dame, Principal Boy, Good Fairies and Baddy, this time in the guise of Snow Queen Bianca, were all there. The story starts with Winter Fairy, Frida Longjohns passing the The Season Baton to April Honey Blossom, Sprite of the Spring. But we soon learn that Snow Queen Bianca has decided that with the help of her snowflake subjects she will steal The Baton so that it remains winter.

There had been some very clever designing of sets particularly in the transforming of the sets between winter and spring and then back again to winter, and the huge mirror, which shatters. Although it did not work to absolute perfection when I saw it I could appreciate the concept behind it and am sure it would be flawless by the next performance. The panto had been written so that there were front of stage scenes to enable scene changing to occur at the back, mostly behind tabs, but even so some changes were still slow. The lighting was mostly well-cued and had been designed to give each scene a good effect and there was contrast between indoor and outdoor scenes and the seasons. The sound effects were appropriate and well-cued but there were a few problems with the microphones. The wardrobe team had provided a fine array of costumes, many of which were stunning, particularly those of the Snow Queen, her snowflakes and the finale costumes.

The show had a well-balanced cast with a variety of ages, talents and experience. The younger members of the cast were well disciplined doing everything asked of them confidently. The adult chorus were very supportive to the main action and sang and moved well. Principals had all created individual identities. The different groups of Stags and Bridesmaids worked well as a unit and the ‘season fairies’, had created characters appropriate to their season and with the help of costumes were easily recognisable.  Frida Longjohns Winter was a more mature character with a great deal of sense, vivacious spring, an over-exuberant summer, who was so zany he had obviously been touch by the sun, and the gentler autumn. Henrik Ulriksen, and his fiance Kristen gave confident performances both in singing and acting and complimented each other. Gerda Loins, the Dame, grandmother of Kristin, delivered much gentle humour and did not go OTT. The character of Snow Queen Bianca, was superbly drawn to show the evil, cold-hearted beauty to perfection in everyway.

Choreographer Heather Heath had worked well with the cast to create interesting dance routines, I loved the penguin dance. There was a varied and interesting choice of music and Musical Director Roger Winter had devised some interesting arrangements, and he had organised a lively band who were always sympathetic to the voices.

This production of The Snow Queen had all the elements of Pantomime with colourful costumes; the types of characters you would expect; romantic duets; lots of audience participation; singing and dancing; good overcoming evil and an abundance of comedy both visually and in the dialogue, all carefully timed. Author and Director Lizzie Lindsell had worked well with her entire team to bring the story to the stage. I really liked the concept of the changing of the seasons, with the ‘toblerone’ trees at the back, and the falling snow, it was lovely. There were many delightful moments but the highlight for me was the penguins, with the solo violin, Christmas cracker jokes and dance. The people sitting near me were having a good evening enjoying themselves.

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