The Snow Queen
Tyldesley Little Theatre, Lemon Street

ALAN Frayn’s Snow Queen is a new edition to his long list of pantomimes and Tyldesley Little Theatre (TLT) do it justice by providing a family panto packed with fun and frolics.

In the title role of The Snow Queen, Karen Ward proves to be as icy as the title suggests as she weaves her evil spell and kidnaps Gerda’s friend Kai. Luke Hope-Nixon played the part of Kai very well.

This young lad has promise with a great stage presence and clear delivery he is certainly one to watch for the future.

Alana Howarth-Lees as Gerda was sweet and endearing as she journeyed through the snow and ice to find her friend and realise her true feelings for him.

Conor Parkinson is developing well in the comedy role and is starting to make the part his own. As Helmut he displayed some admirable rapport with the audience and he sustained this throughout.

Seasoned panto player Ian Taylor, in the role of the Dame, Nanny Annie gave his usual polished performance and had the audience eating out of his hand.

As soon as you see the name Joyce Elder in the programme you know you in are in for a vocal treat and her rendition of Let it Go, from Frozen, was up to her usual high standard.

The chorus provided some entertaining dancing and musical director Martin Taylor provided a variety of songs that fit the bill.

It is always good to see younger people taking parts and Ellie Ward played the part of Frederika the robber with confidence. As with Kai, I can see these two youngsters treading the boards of TLT for many years to come.

For me, panto needs a character that can keep the pace and provide some laugh out loud moments and we had this aplenty with Carly Lomax in the role of Blossom, the mad flower lady.

Vocally strong, as an added bonus, Carly is a great pantomime comedy actress and understands the needs to entertain the audience and not herself. Her characterisation of the part was just right. This was a well-balanced performance and went down a treat with the audience.

This was a well-presented production and, whilst I am not convinced that pantomime needs Three directors, the team of Ian Taylor, Garth Waddupp and Andy Sutton provide a family pantomime that has all the ingredients to ensure a fun-packed evening was presented — and it worked!

Paul Cohen