REVIEW: The Snow Queen, The Dukes, Lancaster

There is something truly special about a show that manages to feel spectacular and intimate all at once, and The Snow Queen does exactly that.

Written by Laura Lindow and directed with warmth and imagination by Chris Lawson, this festive production delivers a story of frozen hearts thawed by friendship, courage and love - and does so with heart, humour and magic in abundance.

Set initially in the rigid, emotionally restricted town of Stifle, the world of the play is one where wishing and feeling are actively discouraged.

This cleverly conceived setting feels intentionally cold and constrained, making the Snow Queen’s arrival - and the capture of young Kai, feel like a chilling extension of a community already frozen from within. It is a world crying out to be thawed.

When Kai (Harri Pitches) is whisked away to the icy realm of the Snow Queen, his best friend Gerda (Amy Tara) embarks on a daring, heartfelt quest to bring him home.

What follows is a journey through enchanting and frozen landscapes and strange, mystical lands, where Gerda meets an array of unforgettable characters and faces daunting challenges.

Along the way, the production gently but powerfully reminds us that the greatest strength lies not in magic, but in bravery, friendship and the warmth of the human heart.

This performance can only be compared to sipping a warm, dark and inviting winter-spiced drink.

At the first sip, there is a deep, wintry intensity- rich, dark and slightly sharp, like spices hitting the tongue.

The drama feels cold-edged and powerful, with moments of danger and mystery.

Tori Burgess’s Snow Queen commands the stage with icy elegance, her glare sharp enough to make you jump.

Then the warmth arrives. Beneath the frost is comfort, the cream melting into softness, the marshmallows sweet and reassuring. This is the heart of the story: love, friendship and bravery.

By the end, you are left with the feeling of that final hug; cosy, safe and quietly joyful.

The cold has made the warmth feel earned, and the magic lingers long after the curtain falls.

The cast of just six actors are remarkable. The performers play multiple roles with extraordinary skill, shifting seamlessly through changes in physicality, voice and simple costume elements.

You instantly forget who they were moments before and fully believe each new character as they arrive.

Amy Tara is perfectly suited to the role of Gerda, portraying her innocence and adventurous spirit beautifully while delivering the show’s stunning songs with ease.

Her voice can only be described as melting chocolate; rich, warm and utterly comforting.

The relationship between Gerda and her father, Mr Buckler (played with heartfelt warmth by Gareth Cassidy), is portrayed so tenderly it brought a genuine tear to my eye.

Tori Burgess is excellent as the Snow Queen, finding the perfect balance between childlike qualities frozen in time and a hard, menacing exterior. Her performance is powerful and unsettling, commanding attention whenever she steps on stage.

Harri Pitches’s portrayal of Kai is filled with innocence, humour and warmth, and his relationship with Gerda is deeply affecting, evoking memories of childhood friendships long forgotten but never lost.

Special mention must go to Gareth Cassidy, whose incredible ability to transform his voice, body and accents across roles is hugely impressive.

William Travis brings humour and a reassuring presence to Mr Kelpine, embodying the dependable, slightly chaotic uncle figure with charm. Victoria Brazier’s Elsie Orr, though deliciously frustrating as a character, is an audience favourite thanks to her impeccable comic timing and wonderfully stern facial expressions.

Visually, the production is a delight. The lighting design beautifully supports Gerda’s journey, transporting us effortlessly from place to place. The staging of Stifle uses space cleverly and cleanly, creating a world that is easy on the eye while remaining emotionally restrictive. Younger audience members appeared utterly mesmerised from the very first moment.

The costumes are stunning throughout, but the true showstopper is unexpectantly the reindeer. Audible gasps and spontaneous applause greeted its entrance, and rightly so; the detail and elegance quite literally took my breath away.

Under the thoughtful direction of Chris Lawson, this production feels both assured and wonderfully personal. Lawson’s vision never lost sight of the emotional core at the heart of the story.

A particularly touching moment comes with the inclusion of audio featuring his young son, a subtle but deeply charming detail that adds an extra layer of authenticity to the production, reminding us that this story is rooted in family, connection and shared experience. 

Above all, this is truly a show for everyone, delighting younger audience members with its magic, humour and wonder, while offering adults rich emotional depth, nostalgia and moments that resonate long after the final curtain.

With its beautiful songs, striking design, laugh-out-loud moments (particularly from the hilarious bandits and the energetic Rose in his quest for compliments), and an emotionally rich story at its core, The Snow Queen is the perfect festive theatre experience.

Performances run until December 31.

Tickets are now on sale HERE or by contacting The Dukes' box office on 01524 598500 or email tickets@dukeslancaster.org.

Read more: ADVERTISING FEATURE: We meet The Snow Queen from The Dukes' Christmas show - Beyond Radio