Many congratulations to all the cast and crew – pictured above – involved in putting on our 2024 pantomime, The Snow Queen by Alan Frayn. Wargrave Theatre’s legendary annual spectacular was another outstanding success, thanks to the dedication of everyone taking part and to the support and enthusiasm of our wonderful audiences, who packed the Woodclyffe Hall for every performance.
We are very grateful – once again – to Peter Knowles, for the selection of his captivating and atmospheric photographs, and to Guy Heiser for another of his superb reviews, reproduced for you below:
“Snow Joke – they are back with a bang!
It was with much anticipation that I settled into my seat in the Woodclyffe Hall, drink in one hand and programme in the other, to enjoy this year’s Wargrave Theatre pantomime – The Snow Queen. The show, written by WT favourite Alan Frayn, is loosely based on an 1844 fairy story from Hans Christian Andersen.
This year’s production was co-directed by Linda Daman and Emmajane Hughes – a dream team in anyone’s book! With these two at the helm and the outstandingly talented Louisa Briguglio as Musical Director, we were assured a night filled with outrageous puns and a plethora of songs and dances. We were not disappointed!
Hans Christian appears on stage as our narrator played wonderfully by the exceptional Conor Black. We are then introduced to The Snow Queen herself. Grace Tye’s portrayal was as flawless as ever and her cue bite as sharp as the icicles that hung from her costume, (special mention to the very talented seamstress Judi Rowlands). Fiona Harvey’s Fairy Snow Drop oozed goodness as she and The Snow Queen battled in perfect rhyming couplets.
The tale follows the journey of a young girl called Gerda (excellently played by Rachael Wood), from Denmark, as she endeavours to save her best friend Kai (the wonderful and endlessly energetic Sara Beazley) from the Snow Queen’s icy clutches. With the support of her Granny Fanny Annie (Graham Wheal) and her cousin Helmet (faultlessly portrayed by newcomer Andrew Simmons) Gerda succeeds in defeating the wicked Snow Queen and bringing her best friend home.
Graham Wheal’s dame was an absolute delight. She was greeted by us all with a rousing shout of “Granny Fanny Annie” every time she appeared (well nearly every time!). He played her with excellent comic timing and an endearing gentle naughtiness whilst flirting outrageously with the front row.
The Snow Queen is less-than-ably assisted by the hapless trolls led by the wonderful and effortlessly comic Ian Bacon as Henrick. His henchmen played by Lloyd Scrivener and new-comer Andrew Luckwell bumbled, crashed and gurned through every hilariously botched plan.
Along the way we are introduced to a plethora of characters including the mad flower lady Blossom (nicely played by Julia Tabrah), the laidback hippy Blossom (Tanya Jessop) and the robber-girl Frederika (Josie Daman) who, along with the Snow Queen herself, all turn out to be sisters – one for each of the four seasons (who knew!).
We also meet Olaf the fisherman (a nice cameo from Victoria Dunne), an outrageously camp sunflower called Precious (played by Clive Dow – who else!) and Old Lapp Lady (Celia Reinbolt) who gives us a beautiful solo of Once upon a December. The members of Wargrave Youth Theatre gave excellent performances both acting and singing with special mention to the excellent rapping of Bruce Christiensen, Hector Hughes and Poppy Simmonds.
There were too many wonderful scenes and excellent individual performances to mention them all, but some of my favourites included Peter Hughes’s outrageously posh reindeer Rufus, Mike Watt clearly enjoying himself as the Raven Caw (“Cawny” jokes galore), Graham Howe and Alex Schatunowski as the loveable Snowmen and Sara Beasley’s complete character change to an obnoxious teenager. I also loved the sweetshop scene – squeezing in almost every confectionary brand name and presumably producing a great feast for the cast and crew after the final performance!
My absolute highlight (no pun intended!) has to be Freddie Meader as the stoned-out Ziggy the hippy. He stayed in spaced-out character throughout every scene and would have given Dylan from the Magic Roundabout a run for his money. He was so convincing, I think a quick check of his bedroom might be needed in case of any method acting! An outstanding performance – not least as he had to perform the whole thing wearing a “fat suit”.
Each Wargrave Theatre production needs a strong, artistic and committed team behind the scenes, and this is especially true of the pantomime. The experienced pairing of Sheila Williams on Set Design and Dave Robinson as Stage Manager delivered yet again. Behind them are an extensive squad of set builders, painters and backstage hands whose work is vital to the smooth running of the show.
Lighting and sound are an essential part of the magic of panto. The knowledgeable and talented team of Simon Calverley (lighting) and Peter Knowles & Rod Murray (sound) produced a slick and professional show. Special thanks to Daniel Melville and Harriet Wigmore-Welsh on props, Josie Daman for some outstanding choreography and to the ever-present Helen Knowles as prompt. Linda and EJ were not only our talented directorial duo but also led the extensive costume team.
The evening came to a close with a rousing community sing-along to “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” although the competition was, to my great amazement, a draw! The whooping and cheering at the end showed just how much the audience had enjoyed themselves. Congratulations Linda, EJ and all of Wargrave Theatre on yet another triumph.”
Guy Heiser