The Snow Queen

What a curious tale The Snow Queen is, never one I have particularly warmed to (!) but remarkably popular over the years with many versions and adaptations appearing and never a Christmas without several gracing stages across the UK.

This is a witty and mostly fast-paced version that does its best to breathe some fun and life into the story, but for me atht story still doesn't really work. Yes it is a tale of growing up, learning to be yourself, finding your inner hero and the value of love and friendship - but I just don't find the characters engaging. The Snow Queen herself was magnificent and the Duchess a real delight - but the goblin broker's men lacked a real core and the second half, which started so well, ran into the sand a bit during the probably un-necessary plot recap.

The cast worked hard and the music is lovely - lighting has been well thought through and the set is delightfully built making excellent and effective use of projection - especially in the Duchess sequence.

An entertaining enough show that kept the younger members of the audience engaed but failed to connect with me I'm afraid.