The Albany – until 24 December 2025
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale is given a warm and witty woodland twist by Nancy Hirst in this charming and gentle production for younger children.
Mice Gerda and Kai are neighbours and best friends and are having a sleepover together. But something has changed in Kai since they watched the shooting stars on Harvest Night. A small tiff about game rules turns into a bitter argument and Kai runs off up the tree, only to be taken by the Snow Queen. Gerda goes on a quest to find the Snow Queen’s palace and rescue her friend.
The original Snow Queen story has some dark moments, but this version makes it clear that this queen is just as lonely and lost as those that she accidentally infected with her sadness on Harvest Night. Here, she is a snow leopard, wisely distancing the audience from any notion of human cruelty. The themes of love, friendship, and talking about and sharing feelings are the main message of this production, packaged in an entertaining and easily accessible way for young children. It is a showbiz circle time!
The cast of three (Eva Pereira, Freya Stephenson and Henry Regan) portray the woodland characters with a charmingly daft but sincere air. Pereira’s plucky Gerda leads the audience through songs and dances to overcome obstacles and has a wonderfully warm connection with the children (and the big ones!) Freya Stephenson and Henry Regan are hilarious as the squabbling squirrel and crow Gerda meets along the way and are just as impressive with the quieter characters they play.
Writer and director Hirst’s script has just the right balance of silliness and sentiment, audience interaction and, importantly, movement breaks to ensure any restless youngsters can remain engaged. Eamonn O’Dwyer’s music is delightfully catchy. Laura McEwen’s set is stunning, from the cozy autumnal tones of Gerda’s bedroom to the Triangles lit in gorgeous atmospheric colours to portray rivers, forests and the ice palace. The children’s reactions to some of Callum Macdonald’s lighting changes was absolutely magical.
A wonderful woodland adventure that will appeal to young and old, The Snow Queen is a magical Christmas treat.