A review by Vanessa Bunn for EXTRA! EXTRA!
Unicorn Theatre presents
Those familiar with the Hans Christian Andersen original may expect a sinister and moody retelling of The Snow Queen from this run at the Unicorn; the reality of Anupama Chandelier’s version is far less typical. Taking the best of the story, wonderful friendships and curious characters, she transports the cast to India, supported by excellent design from Sophia Lovell Smith and impressive compositions by Arun Ghosh. The opening scene acts as a prologue, as Patti (Pooja Ghai) recalls her visit to the Snow Queen's palace years before when her sister was cruelly retained by the heartless Queen. Patti still lives in fear of the omnipresent Snow Queen and her ominous snow-bees.
Luckily she has some youthful company to help her pass the time. Andersen's Gerda becomes Gowri (Amaka Okafor) and Kay becomes Kumar (Ashley Kumar) and they two are the best of friends, inseparable. They are fascinated by Patti's story, until it becomes a reality and the Snow Queen captures Kumar and takes him far north to her palace. Patti sets out to rescue Kumar and find her sister, but her age and limited agility mean Gowri has to leave her behind and traverse alone to find her fondest friend. She runs on the spot as skilful lighting by Phil Clarke illustrates her progression through weird and wonderful lands. En route she encounters good and bad company and strange and exiting places.
A chance meeting with the pragmatic Goddess of the sea is a real highlight - Nimmi Harasgama brings some witty, punchy lines to life prompting uproarious laughter from the audience, adults and children alike. An encounter with some fearsome bandits, headed by unshrinking Asha (Deeivya Meir) threatens to stop Dowri in her tracks, but Asha grows fond of her and softens in her resolve to keep her captive. A reconstruction of a Bollywood filmset is the location for some impressive choreography by Ash Mukherjee and Gowri's first suspected sighting of Kumar since his disappearance. The stimulating music and intricate costumes are central to the ambiance of the Bollywood scene, and the whole cast contribute to the energy. The beautifully designed Snow Palace forms a cold and stark backdrop to the otherwise warm and colourful set.
The characters adeptly take on multiple roles thoroughly convincingly. There is always the danger with children’s theatre that dual-roles will confuse, but this is never the case at The Snow Queen. Simplistic, identifiable costumes are part of reason, though the key is the versatility of the actors. Asif Khan is a perfect example, as he plays Ice Jinn, the stern and stubborn keeper of the Ice Queens' palace and later tackles the role of part-man part-crow Kaka who is responsible for driving Gowri to the Snow Queen's palace to rescue Kumar. The two roles could not be more opposed, stern and lifeless to overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and it is a wonderful contrast which Khan obviously relishes.
A relatively sympathetic portrayal of the Ice Queen, throughout, bereft of her only son through war, means that the path is paved for a redemptive ending. Amaka Okafor is endearing and determined as Gowri, ensuring that the audience roots for her. Anupama Chandrasekhar's script transports the oft-overlooked warmth of the original tale to a wonderfully exotic new location with inspired results.
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