Northern Stage has announced the cast for its Christmas show, The Snow Queen, written by Laura Lindow, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fable, and directed by Mark Calvert.
Gerda, the tale’s heroine, will be played by Sunderland-born Lauren Waine who appeared in the theatre’s version of The War of the Worlds in 2018 when it was first performed in January and February and then revived in September. Her other credits include The Importance of Being Earnest (Gala Theatre), Wormtown (The Customs House and Alphabetti), Dr Faustus (The Sam Wanamaker Festival, The Globe), Pericles (Brighton Open Air Theatre), RENT! (Paul McCartney Auditorium) and Three Jumpers (Edinburgh Fringe).
The villain of the piece, the evil Snow Queen herself, will be played by Elizabeth Carter who is currently appearing in Clear White Light at Live Theatre, where, ten years ago, she appeared in The Moonlight Gem and Garden of Dreams. Her last NE appearance was at Northern Stage in the touring production of Rain Man.
They are joined by a cast of actor-musicians including composer and musical director Jeremy Bradfield (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Northern Stage, as well as a number of productions with children’s theatre company Kitchen Zoo), Craig Fairbairn (A Christmas Carol and Animal Farm, Northern Stage), Gregor Mackay (Nae Bother! Oran Mor / Edinburgh Fringe), Paula Penman (Woven Bones, Cap-a-Pie at Alphabetti, whose last Christmas appearance at Northern Stage was in The Little Detective Agency and whose 2012 solo show, Donna Disco, was a huge hit at Live Theatre) and Hannabiell Sanders (A Christmas Carol, Northern Stage), plus a chorus of six performance students from Newcastle College as part of a continued partnership to give actors in training professional opportunities.
The creative team also includes designer Rhys Jarman, lighting designer Sam Vivash, sound designer Nick John Williams, associate musical director Hannabiell Sanders, movement director Martin Hylton and assistant director Karen Traynor.
The Snow Queen runs at Northern Stage from 30 November to 4 January and ticket prices start at £10.