AC wrote: “The Snow Queen is one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most famous tale. Having loved the story from a young age, I have always wanted the chance to see the unusual characters come to life on stage. The Wick Theatre Company has provided me with a wealth of extremely talented performers of all ages: making my Wick Theatre directing debut a wonderful experience.
The Snow Queen looks to draw its audience into the depth of its tale. Full of magic and mystery, the story of little Gerda searching for her friend is a rare but familiar yarn to us all.”
Review #1: Snow Queen
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: December 14 2012
Reviewer: Elaine Hammond
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The Snow Queen may have been as cold as ice but the production was hot, hot, hot! Wick Theatre Company’s Christmas show at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, this week has something for everyone.
Although not a pantomime, it does offer the chance for a bit of audience participation, like booing the baddie, though it would have been nice to see people get more involved.
With a reasonably large cast of mixed ages, it gives some of the many youngsters in the company the chance to shine. The boys, particularly, provide some brilliant comedy moments. Luke Mepham and Ted Gibbs had us in hysterics last night (Thursday, December 13) as the guards to the palace, while Nathan Attree and Olivier Yates provided laughs as a pair of swallows.
The story comes from Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, adapted for the stage by director Amy Curtis. She also takes care of props, set dressing and projection design, producing a colourful version that adapts well to the stage.
Claire Harding in the lead rôle of Gerda, who has to journey through the seasons to find her friend Kai, makes an excellent effort to come across as a little girl.
Others who shine included Isi Fink as the robber girl, one of the autumn sisters, and Will MacDonald as the prince with a big ego, alongside Alys Bowerman as the summer princess.
But possibly the biggest hit with the audience last night was Varg the Destroyer, who was “a little short” hopeful for the summer princess’s hand in marriage. It was, in fact, little Lochlan Steddon, the baby of cast members Anna Quick and Guy Steddon, complete with mini sword.
The production carried us across the lands through spring, summer and autumn to winter, where the Snow Queen held Kai captive. Charlotte Blandford is suitably menacing as the wicked sister who wanted to take over the world.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable production from Wick Theatre Company and runs until tomorrow (Saturday)
The icy weather outside the Barn seemed appropriate for a journey to the Snow Queen’s Winter Palace were young Kai is kept prisoner to assist in the wicked Queen’s plot to plunge the world into permanent winter. But she had not reckoned with the love, courage and determination of Kai’s best friend, Gerda.
The telling of Gerda’s quest, adventures and the friends she makes on route falls mainly on the shoulders of the Wick Theatre Company’s Youth section.
On the first night, the first act was slow to get going with some hesitant delivery of lines, perhaps due to nerves.
However, in the second act, confidence improved and the show moved at a slicker pace. Young Claire Harding, on stage for almost the entire time, masters the rôle of Gerda with a charming innocent sweetness. In complete contrast, Isi Fink’s Robber Girl is full of murderous bravado and swagger. David Thomas is delightful as the comically-droll Raven, with Addie Marten giving an assured portrayal as the motherly Enchantress. Senior players Anna Quick and Guy Steddon contributed greatly with their rôles of Robber Queen and Bac, a noble reindeer.
Meanwhile, good use is made of a projected stage and slide projections for scenery.
