The Snow Queen, Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fable is thrillingly reimagined at Northern Stage in Newcastle this year with a spellbinding new production from the same team that brought us A Christmas Carol, James and the Giant Peach and Alice in Wonderland.
I was invited to attend with my boys and enjoy our first magical Christmas adventure of 2019. Read our review here.
Is The Snow Queen at Northern Stage for Tweens?
Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved tale – which was loosely also the basis for Frozen, The Snow Queen is now showing at Northern Stage in Newcastle, a new adaptation by Laura Lindow, an award-winning playwright based in the North East on stage at what is the largest producing theatre in North East England.
Just like the original, the story centres on the struggle between good and evil as experienced by Gerda and her friend, Kai.
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| Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
“At the heart of the story is the power of friendship, the importance of not giving up on people you love and a timely reminder to listen to what our children have to say,” says Mark Calvert, associate director at Northern Stage.
When her best friend Kai disappears, Gerda is sure that he has been taken by the mysterious Snow Queen. Determined to rescue her friend, she embarks on a courageous quest, all alone into the icy unknown.
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| Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
The recommended age is 5 – 11 but all are welcome. I took my tweens (two boys aged 10 & 12) to Northern Stage for this year’s Christmas offering. An adaptation of The Snow Queen has been written by Laura Lindow. I’m a fan of Laura’s work, her version of War of the Worlds is one of my favourite performances at Northern Stage.
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| Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
In recent years we’ve been to see A Christmas Carol, James and the Giant Peach and Alice in Wonderland, and like all previous recent seasonal offerings its another ambitious all-singing, all-dancing production. This year’s show is no exception it’s loud, fun and kept my two boys engaged and entertained throughout the entire show, with enthralling dialogue, fantastic percussion and great acting performances.
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| Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
The larger than life puppet Reindeer was pretty amazing too which along with the music, songs, scooters, and neon dogs and boundless energy of the actors, it all brought the stage set to life magnificently. It has a lovely Roahl Dahl feel to it with the leader of the town of Stifle making me think of Trunchbull from Matilda.
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| Credit: Pamela Raith Photography |
The Snow Queen runs until Saturday 4 January 202 at Northern Stage in Newcastle. Tickets are from £10.
Is The Snow Queen at Northern Stage for Tweens?
I asked my boys if they would recommend the show to their friends and also to describe the show… they both said yes, adding…
My 10-year-old said “The Snow Queen is a great show and they look and speak to audiences in front and at the back of the stage. All the characters of The Snow Queen are great at acting and performing”.
My 12-year-old said “The Snow Queen is an exciting dramatic story about two friends who have an argument before Gerda then saves Kai from the Snow Queen. It was really good and I'm glad I went to see it."
Overall it is a magical fairytale treat for the whole family and with a core message that is perhaps even more important this year.
The Snow Queen is playing at Northern Stage until 4 January. It lasts approx. 2.5 hours with an interval. For more information and tickets, visit the Northern Stage website.
Northern Stage is the largest producing theatre in the North East of England.
Deb x
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