The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen is a lovely way to kick off 2019 - a production packed with enthusiastic, very young actors, from a brand new company completing its first full-length production. It is an experience laden with possibilities.

The title role is played by Lilly-Anne Burns, an experienced young actress in her mid-teens, in what may be her best performance to date. She captures the regal bearing and cruelty of this character while giving her depth, and looks amazing (costumes by Emma Boyer). Lilly-Anne also commands the most impressive of designer Gary Green’s set pieces - a simply stunning sleigh.

Hannah-Jade Keppler plays the leading role of Gerda, fulfilling what has been a dream-role since she was four years of age, with huge enthusiasm and obvious hard work - also composing the song that is performed. Jack Churchman plays stolen brother Kai, with beautiful naturalism, convincing both as loving sibling and heartless follower of the Snow Queen.

In this journey play, we meet many characters for a short amount of time. I particularly enjoyed the genuine warmth of Rohan Louis as Prince Erik, and the lovely feeling conveyed by Cameron Alwyn Clear. Lucie Lockyer had a good mix of cynicism and caring as crow Cawtrina, while Amalea Lawrence blended contradictions well as Gladys the Gypsy Queen - nicely supported by reindeer Randolph (Joshua Ashton). Ebony Borovica was charming in dual roles as Grandma and the Conjurer.

I would have loved to have seen Blair Louis (John) and Eliza Malcolm (Jan) for longer - lovely natural performers, and enjoyed the interaction of the talking flowers - Tiffany Ramsey, Asha Kopa, Savannah Darr and Tamara Wolf. A very elegant cameo from Emma Huang as Aurora Borealis and a highly energetic one from Edwin Uhlenberg as Goblin. Nice villainy from Daisy Churchman as Frostbite and Ella Thomas as Blue Norther. The cast is completed nicely by Jack Huang, Sienna Macri and Elouise Keppler.

Director Lys Tickner has prepared her young cast well and the audience clearly enjoyed the experience. A lovely school holiday diversion, and the snow theme is a wonderful contrast to the warm weather outside. 

Congratulations Art in Motion for your first big show. I look forward to your first adult production, Grease, later this year.

Kimberley Shaw