This winter, Northern Stage will be transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with a magical musical reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale The Snow Queen. Written by Laura Lindow and directed by Northern Stage’s artistic director, Natalie Ibu, this thrilling, heart-filled new production is packed with adventure.
Following previous family-favourite festive shows such as A Christmas Carol and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at the theatre, this new production blends enchanting storytelling, new original music and imaginative staging to create an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. It draws on folk traditions, shaped by a strong sense of place and community to tell this story of a brave girl on a journey beyond everything she’s ever known.
Set in the small town of Stifle, The Snow Queen follows the story of Gerda who lives a quiet, regulated life. She is the only child in the town until Kai arrives, bringing with him friendship and a sense of possibility. Her world is transformed by this friendship - and then shattered when he is enchanted by the Snow Queen and whisked away to her frozen realm. Gerda courageously ventures beyond everything she has ever known, encountering wondrous and elemental worlds. Told with a fresh perspective that places the backdrop of the village at the heart of the story, audiences will be brought into a world that feels both intimate in detail and epic in scale.
Music is central to this new production’s identity. A multi-instrumental cast will perform live on stage, creating a dynamic, ever-changing sound world inspired by folk traditions, with particular echoes of Scottish influences. Fiddles, accordion textures and raw, atmospheric soundscapes combine with moments of recorded voice to create something immediate, physical and at times uncanny.
The design draws on landscape and the winter season, shaping a theatrical environment where audiences are taken on a journey rather than just enjoying a simple retelling of a known story.
Following previous family-favourite festive shows such as A Christmas Carol and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at the theatre, this new production blends enchanting storytelling, new original music and imaginative staging to create an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. It draws on folk traditions, shaped by a strong sense of place and community to tell this story of a brave girl on a journey beyond everything she’s ever known.
Set in the small town of Stifle, The Snow Queen follows the story of Gerda who lives a quiet, regulated life. She is the only child in the town until Kai arrives, bringing with him friendship and a sense of possibility. Her world is transformed by this friendship - and then shattered when he is enchanted by the Snow Queen and whisked away to her frozen realm. Gerda courageously ventures beyond everything she has ever known, encountering wondrous and elemental worlds. Told with a fresh perspective that places the backdrop of the village at the heart of the story, audiences will be brought into a world that feels both intimate in detail and epic in scale.
Music is central to this new production’s identity. A multi-instrumental cast will perform live on stage, creating a dynamic, ever-changing sound world inspired by folk traditions, with particular echoes of Scottish influences. Fiddles, accordion textures and raw, atmospheric soundscapes combine with moments of recorded voice to create something immediate, physical and at times uncanny.
The design draws on landscape and the winter season, shaping a theatrical environment where audiences are taken on a journey rather than just enjoying a simple retelling of a known story.
