snow queen

The Snow Queen

The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham

***

Delve deep into the icy heart of The Snow Queen at Birmingham’s Old Rep Theatre this Christmas for a frosty fairy tale of friendship from a window-box garden through to the enchanted forest.

Will Gerda manage her rescue mission with Crow? What will be reflected in the Goblin mirrors? Will Olaf Billy Bookcase reveal his true evil identity? Join Leticia Hector as The Snow Queen in this retro retelling of the 1844 Hans Christian Andersen classic, with a twist of the throttle and an illuminated cloak of mystery.

Gerda, Christina Harris, awakes from her slumber on the day of her sister Karen’s 13th birthday but her constant persuasions to invite best friend Kai to the party are ignored due to family differences. As Karen, Alexandra Daszewski, transforms into adulthood, becoming mean spirited and vacant, Gerda’s relationship with Karen falters and the close siblings drift further and further into a snow drift.

Hader, chief Goblin, undergoes a secret mission to satisfy the Snow Queen’s desires endangering Kai as he is kidnapped and imprisoned in the Ice Palace. Hader delivers the best lines of the entire script, written by Toby Hulse, with humorous characterization of the Robber Queen, Hader and Olaf the Woodcutter.

Directed by Alec Fellows-Bennett, who I had the fortunate opportunity of watching as Ratty in Wind and the Willows and The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, is in his fourth year working with The Old Rep and Birmingham Ormiston Academy on their Christmas Productions.

One of my 7-year-old daughter’s favourite bits after the Snow Queen’s motorbike and Hader’s jokes was the old-school 8-bit graphics in the magic mirror which was quite a nifty tool to show the journey of the protagonist. Glittery set and costume designs by Amy Carroll alongside magical notes from Letitia Hector with music from composer and director Steve Allan Jones.

A festive family show for all ages spreading joy throughout the West Midlands will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Catch Gerda and Kai on their snowy adventures from now until Monday December 30th at The Old Rep Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY. General Tickets cost from £18 - £21 and family tickets available at £70. Call the Box Office on 0121 3599444 or go online boxoffice@oldreptheatre.co.uk to book tickets.

Emma Trimble

23-11-19 

Index page Old Rep Reviews A-Z Reviews by Theatre