Theatre / Reviews
Review: The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres – ‘It will warm even the coldest of hearts’
A cycling reindeer is one of the stars of the show at the Tobacco Factory Theatres’ Christmas production this year. He is one of a cast of eclectic characters that we encounter on a journey to the North Pole, the home of the mysterious Snow Queen.
From a mysterious old lady who lives in the woods to a group of highly educated crows, our hero Gerda meets a variety of different characters as she navigates her way to the pole in order to rescue her best friend Kaj.
Much of the fun of The Snow Queen can be found in these disparate vignettes, with the central tale slightly disjointed. But just remember to always carry your grandma’s warming flask of cocoa and everything will be okay.
is needed now More than ever
Music is an integral part of The Snow Queen – photo: Mark Dawson
Gerda is a feisty independent adventurer played with a combination of wide-eyed wonder and steely determination by Natisha Williams.
She embodies the spirits of magic and childhood imagination which are two strands that do run coherently throughout this co-production between Tobacco Factory Theatres, New International Encounter and Cambridge Junction.
The Snow Queen will warm even the coldest of hearts as fun-loving narrator Abayomi Oniyide guides us from Copenhagen to the frozen north.
Just six cast members switch roles as quickly as they switch instruments, with some delightful music – all played live and composed by Joey Hickman, who also plays Kaj – as central to this production as the importance of imagination and forgiveness.
The sensational Samantha Sutherland steals every scene that she is in, playing parts including an overly accommodating old lady and the matriarch of a gang of robbers. The second half is not as vibrant as the first in no small part due to her lack of stage time.
Samantha Sutherland steals every scene that she is in – photo: Mark Dawson
Alex Byrne’s adept direction brings this surreal world skilfully to life and there are some wonderful elements of audience interaction with some of the youngest theatregoers.
Stefanie Mueller’s design – as well as her turns as the grandmother and Snow Queen herself – should also be applauded, with a sleigh changing within seconds to a front door.
Christmas in Bristol should always mean a trip to the theatre and this production is rooted in BS3 with mentions of nearby Aldi and Southville Deli.
Travel to the North Pole via North Street in this heartwarming and heartfelt show.
The Snow Queen is at the Tobacco Factory Theatres until January 15 2023. For tickets and more information, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-snow-queen
All photos: Mark Dawson
Read next:
- Tobacco Factory Theatres sets the stage for the magic of The Snow Queen
- A pair of Christmas trolls are coming to BS3
- Belle and Sebastien: a Christmas show for children and young families
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