FM wrote: “The Snow Queen must surely be one of Hans Christian Andersen’s best loved stories and it has been a great pleasure to direct it as a play with so many young people in it, all from our own Youth and Junior Groups.
These Groups were formed in 1977 to provide drama activity for younger members in the cast of our very successful Christmas play Where the Rainbow Ends.
Those of you who are regular patrons will recognise some of the youngsters of that cast who have graduated to adult rôles; Simon Gray is our musical director and Antony Muzzall plays a leading rôle as The Storyteller.
I am particularly pleased to have new members in this production who have joined us as a result of a recent recruiting drive. I am sure you will agree Karen Mulholland, playing her first major part with the adult company, makes a delightful Gerda.”
Publicity #1: The Snow Queen
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 28 1979 issue – page 11
Text Header: Snow Queen
Text: Content
WICK THEATRE COMPANY is again making a conscious break from pantomime tradition. Although robbers, reindeer, polar bears and ravens make an appearance, The Snow Queen by Hand Christian Andersen is not intended just for children. Wick hopes the play will also appeal to adults in its extended run at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, next month. Performances are on January 4 and 5, and from 8 to 12.
Review #1: The Snow Queen
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: January 18 1980 issue – page 7
Reviewer: Frank Horsley
Text Header: “Karen lives up to promise”
Text: Content
A STAR of the future? The thought must have crossed many people’s minds as they watched Karen Mulholland play her first major part for Wick Theatre Company. Karen, a product of Wick’s youth group, certainly lived up to director Frances Moulton’s praise by making a ‘delightful Gerda’ in The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. All turned out for the best in granny’s cosy garret as Kay, alertly portrayed by Alan Gray, and Gerda finally shook off the hyper-borean evil of the Snow Queen.
The tale, covering Gerda’s trip to the far North to rescue Kay from the Queen’s palace, provided a satisfying union between Wick’s youngsters and adults in a production aimed at all ages. The generation gap was successfully bridges thanks to quality acting by the principals Antony Muzzall [The Storyteller], John King [The Chancellor], Daphne Thornton [Grandmother] and Jennifer Sheriden, superbly made up in the title rôle.
Unusual
There was also the appeal of unusual props and costumes in the shape of artificial Christmas trees [real ones were banned by the fire officer] and guises for ravens, polar bears and a reindeer, Although their faces were hidden, Dennis Picott and Margaret Ockenden certainly deserved full recognition for their unusual rendering of raven language!
The cast’s only weakness was an occasional stiltedness in movement which hampered the flow of the action, but the music of Grieg, played by musical director Simon Gray, was a most agreeable accompaniment.
Review #2: The Snow Queen
Publication: Brighton & Hove Gazette
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: W.H.
Text Header: “The Snow Queen casts a magical spell”
Text: Content
Hans Andersen’s The Snow Queen, a delightful play, is given a charming interpretation by the Wick Theatre Company this week at the Barn Theatre, Southwick.
Mr. Storyteller is well played by Antony Muzzall who was also responsible for the very artistic design on the programme cover. Two extremely vocal ravens, Karl and Karla are Dennis Picott [Amanda Dawes plays him at matinees] and Margaret Ockenden, delightful characters both but Karl must take care that his ‘raven’ voice voice does not obscure the meaning. Two particularly well played rôles are Gerda’s Grandmother by Daphne Thornton, a new comer to the company, and the Snow Queen by Jennifer Sheriden playing her first major rôle for the company.
Director Frances Moulton does very well with quite a number of first-timers, particularly amongst the very young children who are Ice Birds and Baby Polar Bears.
Unhappy
John King is most impressive and awe-inspiring Chancellor to the wicked Snow Queen, quite terrifying the unhappy king whose lands join those of the Snow Queen. The king is played most amusingly by Brian Moulton when he is not being a guard or an adult Polar Bear. Kay, the boy who comes under the spell of the Snow Queen, and Gerda his friend who makes the long journey to the frozen north to rescue him are commendably played by Alan Gray and Karen Mulholland.
One cannot fail to be charmed by the most entrancing reindeer, played by Angela Burt. In fact, this is a thoroughly pleasing play for the children.
The afternoon performance tomorrow is already sold out but at the time of writing there are seats available for tonight and tomorrow at 7.30.
