Following last year’s Christmas show The Three Musketeers, the Rose theatre Kingston is to create a new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen this festive season.
The Snow Queen, which is adapted for the Rose stage by Charles Way, tells of the friendship between Kai and Gerda. When Kai is put under a spell and whisked away to an icy palace by the evil Snow Queen, Gerda must undertake an epic journey across a wintry world to save her friend.
The production joins a line-up of family shows that also includes visits from The Gruffalo’s Child (24-26 June), Private Peaceful (15 May), Mr Benn (18-21 May) and Goodnight Mister Tom (26-30 April).
The Rose theatre, which opened its doors in 2008, was yesterday one of the victims of the Arts Council cuts after its application for funding was turned down. Judi Dench, who starred in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the venue, commented: “Whether it’s as a cultural centre for the local communities or as a landmark theatre providing world-class drama, I ask that you join me in helping the Rose to bloom.”
The Snow Queen plays from 2 December to 8 January.
CB