It would be difficult to think of a more fitting venue to see an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s icy and magical story: The Snow Queen, than a thirteenth century Church on a chilly winter’s evening. Walking into live singing, beautifully harmonised traditional wintery and Christmastime songs, with smells of mulling spices in the air all help to set the scene perfectly. The songs are mostly a cappella, with the occasional violin addition, but they are note perfect and filled with emotion, almost taking you on a journey North, to where the tale begins.
The Snow Queen has been the inspiration for many tales taking on the theme of the Queen in the North who has magical powers, and loves ice. How refreshing then to find this tale so close to the original story, which is impactful on its own without veneer. It’s gloriously old fashioned, and this version, adapted with warmth and respect by Ethan Taylor, keeps true to this spirit; yet adding the beginning and ending which is a stroke of genius, making it accessible and relevant rather than just distant and ethereal.
Abigail Davis plays Gerda delicately with innocence and vulnerability; going on a journey to find her lost best friend Kai played by Andy Colter who has been taken by the Snow Queen, chasing the shards of the broken enchanted mirror. Kai has a shard both in his eye and his heart, changing his personality from kind to cruel, and Gerda is the only one who has not given up on him. The embodiment of goodness fighting evil is a very tangible one here, and it’s this that gives Gerda her power to help him. Her way of imbuing everything and everyone she meets with a spirit: including roses growing in a garden, is such a young and yet very shamanic and wise way of experiencing the world; you find yourself drawn into seeing everything through her eyes.
Each of the five actors play such an array of different characters, changing their physicality, their voices and simple costume changes or additions, to effortlessly morph into the new role. Each of them are completely believable in whichever role they present, you instantly forget all the other characters they have played and just see them in the moment. Andy Colter goes from Kai to King to a wooden soldier come to life, particularly the soldier whose completely still hands only move at the wrists which is such gorgeous attention to detail.
There is a superbly choreographed fight scene with sardonic commentary from Leon Topley as the reindeer whose skills in movement create a totally believable animal, as does Jordan Gardner with superb puppetry skills as the talking crow. The added extra animations and bird habits make the crow stand out as hilarious and memorable. Amber Wadey completes the troupe with a huge variety of parts from knife wielding bandit to a quite frankly terrifying Snow Queen, made doubly so when joined with Abigail Davis making the character massive. Their ability to work together to create one person is inspiring, and the way the Snow Queen moves: slowly, deliberately, as if she is under water; is magical and chilling in both senses.
This is true ensemble work by five actors who are so incredibly accomplished and well-rehearsed that they weave in and out of each other almost like birds in murmuration. When any of them are not on stage they stand to the side adding sounds, or ambient songs in harmony or by becoming props. The set is so inventive and multi-purpose and everything has been thought out and its use maximised: the roses moving underground is amazing, the seat becoming a boat and material forming the river around it allows us all to sink into the story and our own imaginations. It has the feel of the delightfully old fashioned and rustic, but is full of attention and intention.
“This Is My Theatre” have created a style all of their own: with superb skills in everything from story adaptation to set design, from soundscaping to so many different forms of skilful acting. There is nothing else quite like them, they are strikingly unique. They provide us with classic tales told simply with incredible and imaginative skill, amazing versatility and joy in what they do. The Snow Queen is a magical joy for all ages, beautifully told, with skill and authenticity.
St Peter’s Church, Preston Park, 8 November 2024
The Snow Queen, Touring Production by This Is My Theatre
Photos Credit: Ethan Taylor
