Sherman Queen of the pack

(Morning Star, Wednesday 10 December 2008)

The Snow Queen
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

AS THE children of The Snow Queen's universe barrel out of the wings, it's hard not to wonder how this version will fare in the league table of Snow Queens across the UK this Christmas.

After all, the show is playing at several other locations - Leeds, Cambridge and Perth to name but three.

However, this version, adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's original by Charles Way, may be tough to better.

The plot, for those who missed it in their childhood, centres on young boy Cei and his best friend Gerda.

An old grandmother's bedtime tale of the Snow Queen's quest for a perma-winter is cruelly portentous, as Cei takes a shard of Snow Queen evil in his eye and joins the dark side. Meanwhile, Gerda is buffeted across the land in her search for her friend.

Sue Appleby's Gerda is a thoroughly modern one indeed. Her no-nonsense delivery is engaging and committed and her rendering real panic is enough to make the children in the audience gasp with fear.

The Snow Queen, played by Anna Mountford, radiates an otherworldly menace. But the real revelation here is Cei, played by Liam Lane. He leads the audience of children by the nose through his transformation from garrulous young chap to chilly automaton.

Director Anna Linstrum is a long-time friend of the Sherman and in the Snow Queen she has brought them something special. This is a unique and complex display of the much-loved show and will enthral and delight young audiences in Cardiff.

Plays until January 10. Box office: (029) 2064-6900.