Following a sell-out tour in 2019, Scottish Ballet (SB) returns its much-loved production, that’s inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale The Snow Queen, to the stage. This beautiful ballet takes place in several atmospheric locations, from a bustling festive winter market (that features local children performing alongside SB dancers); a travelling circus; a sparkling fairy tale forest and the final fragments of the Snow Queen’s glacial palace. The ballet and is set to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov, performed live by the full SB Orchestra.
Artistic Director Christopher Hampson began making small changes to the show during the 2019 run, and three years on has continued to develop the narrative and choreography, which he believes enhances the tale and the experience for audiences.
Hampson says “Ballets are living, breathing art forms. Even the classics that we know so well, such as Swan Lake and Giselle, have adapted over the years, and The Snow Queen is no different. If people are coming back to see it and wondering if it’s going to be the same, then I’d say yes, but the storytelling and magical qualities have been augmented and deepened, so I think people might enjoy it even more.”
With this being the company’s biggest tour yet, more audiences than ever will have the opportunity to experience that special magic that only the ballet can bring at this time of year. The show arrives in Edinburgh in November, so Christmas will come early for Capital audiences!
Marge Hendrick, Principal at Scottish Ballet, said “Playing the Snow Queen is a very special role for me as I was promoted to Principal dancer after my first performance of it in 2019, alongside my dance partner Evan Loudon, who played Kai. The Snow Queen is quite a manipulative character, and Kai is mesmerised by her, slowly falling into her trap. But she also shows some humanity and it’s this complexity of her character that I find most interesting to portray. The choreography is beautiful but also extremely challenging and this year I’ll be dancing with a different partner, so I’m looking forward to building the relationship between Kai and the Snow Queen with him.”
SB dancers are hard at work rehearsing in the studio and training in the gym, as they prepare to embark on their biggest winter tour yet that will comprise 72 shows in total whose tour dates are as follows:
Edinburgh, Festival Theatre: 19th November – 10th December 2022
Glasgow, Theatre Royal: 14th December 2022 – 8th January 2023
Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre: 18th – 21st January 2023
Inverness, Eden Court: 25th – 28th January 2023
Newcastle, Theatre Royal: 1st – 4th February 2023
Running time: 1hr 50mins (25 minute interval)
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 