THE SNOW QUEEN | PERTH THEATRE
★★★
“A fine Christmas show but lacks the anarchy and energy of panto…”
The Snow Queen is a popular Christmas title, though not traditionally as a pantomime – there’s a lot of story to get through. Still, it shouldn’t be too difficult to do, the beauty of pantomime is that it not only allows for artistic licence to be taken, but more or less demands it.
Perth Theatre’s in-house production tries to do this, but even with cuts to the original story to free up space for a sweetie shower and a few call backs, it still proves too earnest, too polite, and regimented in direction to allow the panto spirit to really flourish.
Best Friends Forever McKay McGlumpher and Gerda McMannie are inseparable. When not climbing Ben Doon or roaming Glen Doon, they can usually be found hanging out at Upper Donachan Village Hall, where Grannie Frannie McMannie has a themed event for every day of the week – Thirsty Thursday is particularly popular.
However, when an icy chill blows through the village, memories are rekindled of a scary tale from long ago, that of the cold-hearted Snow Queen who lives in an ice palace in the far, far north. When McKay falls under the spell of the evil Queen and disappears, Gerda, with help from her Grannie, and her friends, sets off on a quest to find him. A journey that will bring her in contact with comical deers, a gormless gardener, and a talking reindeer before eventually bringing her face to face with The Snow Queen herself.
Writer and director Barrie Hunter, who also plays Grannie Frannie McMannie, chooses Pink’s lively Get this Party Started to kick off proceedings and in doing so, smartly sets out his stall. That there’s a lot of story to fit in calls for tight direction, which is delivered at the expense of any sense of spontaneity, an ingredient vital to the best pantos. It makes for a fairly straight affair.
That said, there’s lots to love. Becky Minto’s stylish, contemporary, and dynamic set design frames the action perfectly with a clever use of in built lighting that adds unexpected depth, while Lewis Den Hertog’s fabulous projections combine to create some magical effects and a convincingly chilly Far, Far North, complete with – the sleigh journey that takes McKay and the Snow Queen there is striking too. The appearance of cast members in the audience during the search for McKay works well too, sending a frisson of excitement through the stalls, circle and gods.
Hunter proves a likeable, if workmanlike dame, but audience participation throughout is perfunctory and only fully connects when marshmallows are dispatched into the audience, and when delivered by Nina Gray who is a commanding Gerda. Gray has a playful energy that is endearing and has the kids on side from the start. One of the finest principal girls you’ll see in pantoland this year, she is also in great voice, nailing a terrific rendition of the 2009 Miley Cirus hit, The Climb.
Julia Murray too stands out as ditsy local influencer, Gretel McPetal. An affected content creator, her character is well observed and a pointed piece of social comment. As the Snow Queen, Lauren Ellis-Steele gives a crisp, spirited, but never too nasty performance.
Elsewhere, dynamics fail. The second comic, only denoted by the rouge circle on his cheeks, is McKay’s brother, wannabe thespian Laurence – but call him Larry – played by an earnest Ewan Somers. Larry’s linking for quoting from the classics seldom lands the intended laughs and quickly becomes irritating. Smacking of indulgence, the character tempers the pace of the piece. Luckily, Somers also doubles up the comedic Roger The Reindeer, complete with red nose and an allergy to snow. Now that is funny.
It’s good to see a talented six strong youth cast getting plenty to do throughout as well; they pop up as everything from flowers to red deers, villagers and more.
As the action heads back to Upper Donachan Village Hall for Festive Friday and the finale, another well-drilled number brings proceedings to a close, leaving the feeling that this Snow Queen is a panto that never fully commits to the anarchy of the art-form, instead delivering a Christmas show with panto elements thrown in to tick the right boxes.
Run ends 31 December Tickets HERE
