The Snow Queen

Ice Breaker

The Snow Queen

by Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Anna Wheatley

Reading Rep Theatre, Reading until 31^st December

Review by Sam Martin

Anna Wheatley’s The Snow Queen is a whimsical and heartfelt adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, bringing its fantastical elements to life with charm, depth, and an engaging performance by a talented ensemble cast.  The skilled team at Reading Rep, directed by Paul Stacey, have infused new life into the familiar story and created a captivating experience for the audience.

Set in a world of snow and magic, The Snow Queen follows the journey of Gerda as she embarks on a perilous adventure to rescue her friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen, who has cast him under a powerful spell.  The narrative’s universal themes of love, bravery, and friendship come to the fore, and Wheatley’s adaptation does an excellent job of breathing emotional depth into the characters, making them relatable and accessible.

At the heart of this production is Orla O’Sullivan’s portrayal of Gerda, a performance that is nothing short of captivating.  O’Sullivan brings a refreshing sincerity and strength to her character, capturing Gerda’s determination, kindness, and vulnerability with exceptional nuance.  From her initial naivety to her brave resolve, O’Sullivan’s emotional range is compelling, navigating Gerda’s transformation from a scared girl into a courageous heroine and imbuing the character with warmth and authenticity.  The sincerity with which O’Sullivan delivers Gerda’s lines allows the audience to connect deeply with her journey, and her expressive performance conveys the emotional stakes of the story in ways words alone cannot.  Her stage presence is magnetic, and the audience were completely with her as she navigated Gerda’s journey back to her best friend. 

Opposite her, Mark Desebrock’s portrayal of Kai is equally impressive, and his emotional depth adds a layer of complexity and modernity to the story.  Desebrock captures Kai’s inner turmoil as the Snow Queen’s enchantment slowly consumes him, and he instils the character with a haunting quality that makes his eventual redemption feel all the more poignant.  Desebrock’s performance is particularly thought-provoking in moments of emotional conflict, where he portrays Kai’s struggle between his growing detachment and the remnants of his friendship with Gerda.  His delivery of lines conveys a palpable sense of loss, and in the quieter, more reflective moments, the subtlety of his performance allows the audience to empathise with the character’s plight.  Desebrock’s emotional journey is powerful, and the production’s reflection of his struggle being a universal one sent a message that resonated throughout the audience. 

Charlotte Warner’s portrayal of Ragna, the storyteller at the heart of the production, guides us masterfully through the story’s unfolding events.  She offers a delightful balance of humour and skill, with exceptional comedic timing.  Her ability to effortlessly slip into various characters brings a playful and engaging energy to the stage.  She moves between different roles with ease, shifting from the whimsical Ragna to more serious characters without losing the humour that makes her performance so enjoyable.  Warner’s skilful blend of humour and sincerity ensures that Ragna’s role as a narrator does not detract from the emotional weight of the story but instead enhances it by providing moments of lightness.  Her interactions with the rest of the cast are full of warmth and wit, and her rapport with O’Sullivan and Desebrock feels natural and genuine. 

The production’s direction and design, while simple, are highly effective in conveying the magical, otherworldly elements of the story.  The use of lighting to suggest the frosty, imposing presence of the Snow Queen on the wind was particularly successful, creating a sense of atmosphere and tension without overwhelming the intimate nature of the performance.  The minimalist set design allowed the actors’ performances to remain at the forefront (I loved the way the two houses opened like a child’s dollhouse), while brilliantly mastered puppets evoked the magical world in an imaginative way.  Of note was the framing of the stage space and the use of projection at the very start to really make us feel as if we were peering into the world of the story. 

Ultimately, what makes this production of The Snow Queen so special is its ability to strike a balance between magic and realism.  While the story is fantastical, the performances ground it in genuine human emotion.  Each of the cast – not forgetting Niall Kiely who ably shifted between several characters also – are an essential thread in the tapestry of the production, and their collective energy makes for an enjoyable, thought-provoking evening at the theatre.

In conclusion, this production of The Snow Queen at Reading Rep is a triumph, showcasing the extraordinary talent of the cast and crew.  The heartfelt performances elevate the story beyond its fairy tale roots, making it a truly engaging and memorable theatrical experience that will resonate long after the final bows. 

Sam Martin, December 2024

Photography by Harry Elletson