Odeon Theatre, 57A Queen Street, Norwood
Reviewed Tuesday March 9th 2010 (See Fringe guide for dates, times, etc.)
Presented by Theater Simple, Seattle.
http://adelaidefringe.com.au or 1300 FRINGE (374 643)
http://tix.adelaidefringe.com.au/ticketing/EventDetails.aspx?EventGuid=cc24daaf-65e1-4606-8ebe-fb97d372d746
Bookings: Fringetix & Venuetix outlets
Five performers play all of the roles in this inventive and delightful retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s Snow Queen. It is amazing how, with only a minimal set and a few props, by Tina Bunck, plus some great costumes, by Doris Black, this small band of actors can bring to life a tale of such magnitude. Jeff Kunins music fits like a glove, A. J. Epstein’s lighting helps in establishing the right atmosphere and the direction, by Rachel Katz Carey and Monique Kleinhans, has captured the fairytale feel of the story beautifully.
You will find yourself totally absorbed as you see the making and shattering of the magic mirror, Kai getting a tiny piece in his eye, distorting his vision and making everything ugly, and another in his heart, turning it hard and cold. You will feel for Gerda as her dearest friend turns against her and is taken away by the Snow Queen.
You will be swept along with her as Gerda searches for Kai to release him from the clutches of the Snow Queen and restore him to his former self, against all odds. Yana Kasala is a most charming Gerda, investing her role with a wide range of emotional variation, Ian Lindsay makes a fine Kai, changing dramatically from the loving friend to the austere youth under the influence of magic, and Pamala Mijatov is grand and nicely aloof as the Snow Queen. Llysa Holland and Ricky Coates each play a range of roles, as do Lindsay and Mijatov, ranging from narcissistic flowers (what else would a narcissus be?) to a band of robbers. And, of course, one cannot forget the crows, Edgar and Lenore, who like to think of themselves as ravens. Lindsay and Mijatov clearly have fun with those roles.
This all adds up to a marvellous performance that will engage young and old alike with the combination of a great story, turned into a lovingly performed rendition filled with great acting, plenty of light, colour, music and movement, along with a fair sprinkling of wonder and magic. Theater Simple have done it again.
Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Glam Adelaide Arts Editor.
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