Stifle is a town under siege. From what, we are not certain. A nameless dread, outside. But in the town, everything is well ordered, Everything is neatly mapped, behaviour is neatly policed, and everything is overseen by the extremely neat Ms Elsie Orr, a wonderfully schoolmistressy Victoria Brazier, to whom “nothing spontaneous has happened since 1982”.

She actually is the school mistress but has only one pupil, the oddly biddable Gerda, a delightful and charming Amy Tara. Once upon a time the town was full of children but they’ve all gone. No, you mustn’t ask. And no, you’re not allowed to want things either because wanting leads you into danger. This is a town in the grip of PTSD.

Gerda’s mum disappeared years ago too. No! Don’t ask! So Gerda lives with her dad, a kind if somewhat disorganised Gareth Cassidy, who clearly misses his wife. But doesn’t talk about it.

And then Kai turns up. He is Ms Orr’s nephew, a bouncy, energetic Harri Pitches, who dares to ask questions. His mum and dad are scientists, gone to Bolivia in search of a vanishing frog, and abandoning him to his aunt’s tender mercies. He is rattling the bars. Rattling them so loudly he summons the Snow Queen, an icy, malevolent Tori Burgess with a cackle that freezes the blood. And guess what happens to him? Exactly what happened to all the other children, not to mention Gerda’s mum.

Gerda persuades her dad to let her go looking for Kai, but not too far, mind. Fat chance. And so the adventure begins. It all ends happily, of course, and the message about, love, abandonment, and cherishing what we have is well made. We are led through this slightly complicated narrative by William Travis, an avuncular but warning presence.

Everyone doubles in this production at The Dukes in Lancaster – I was particularly taken with Messrs Brazier, Cassidy and Travis as a trio of sea grubs, and Cassidy does a turn as a flower rejoicing in the name ‘Ninny’, which no doubt brings the house down with a family audience. I saw it in the company of schoolchildren aged from seven to 14, who took it all very seriously and cheered like mad at the end.

I thought it took a while to get going, and I had to listen quite hard to pick up the backstory, but once it does get going it hums along and is extremely funny. Writer Laura Lindow, director Chris Lawson, designer Rachel Walton-Daniels, and composer and musical director Dave Bintley have created a show that leaves you with a warm glow to carry with you into the cold night. Go and get some. You have until December 31.

By Chris Wallis, Theatre Editor

Main image: credit Gabi Dawkins

 

The Snow Queen is at The Dukes, Lancaster until December 31, 2025. For more information, click here.