Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Snow Queen’ comes to Beaulieu this Christmas, running from 16th December 2022 until 2nd January 2023…
Beaulieu tells us:
Beaulieu Abbey is the stunning setting for open-air performances of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, performed by the London Touring Players from 16th December to 2nd January 2023.
With a world-class cast of West End actors, the performances will offer festive cheer, comedy and live music that all the family will enjoy. Following in the footsteps of last year’s A Christmas Carol, the walk-around production will see the actors lead the audience on a route around the Abbey ruins. Underneath the stars, and with mulled wine and mince pies, this is truly a magical event.
The much-loved classic tale of The Snow Queen tells the story of childhood friends Gerda and Kai. When Kai is taken by the Snow Queen on Christmas Eve, Gerda sets off into the wide world to look for him. Along the way, she meets witches, robbers, crows, a reindeer and many fantastical creatures. Can she find Kai and bring him home in time for Christmas?
Director Abbey Wright said: “The Snow Queen promises to be a spectacular and magical experience in the ancient and spectacular setting of the Beaulieu Abbey ruins. Wrap up warm and come and join us for some world-class theatre right here on your doorstep. Whether you are one year old or 101, this will be a heart-warming festive experience for everyone.”
Tracey Ann Wood, who plays the Snow Queen in the performances, said: “I’m completely thrilled to be returning this year to play the Snow Queen at the stunning Beaulieu Abbey ruins. It’s going to be a magical show full of Christmas enchantment, and I can’t wait!”
The performances will be taking place every day from 16th December to 2nd January 2023, excluding Christmas Day, with performances taking place at 2.30pm, 4pm and 5.30pm. Please dress warmly, and wrap up as you would for a winter’s walk. Bring comfy shoes, blankets, hot drinks and umbrellas for the hour-long production.
Separate performance tickets are available to pre-book at the-snow-queen.
Following the success of A Christmas Carol and Shakespeare in the Woods at Beaulieu in recent years, along with The Comedy of Errors and The Importance of Being Earnest at Furzey Gardens, the London Touring Players is going from strength to strength, as the company creates bigger and more ambitious work in beautiful settings across the New Forest.
Refreshments will be available to purchase onsite, with a pop-up café serving mulled wine and mince pies near to the performance area.
This separately charged production compliments the special Christmas experience a visit to Beaulieu offers. Separate tickets for the visitor attraction including the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Little Beaulieu and the World of Top Gear can also be pre-booked at www.beaulieu.co.uk.
More information:
Director – Abbey Wright
Abbey Wright trained with Alan Rickman, Danny Boyle, Michael Grandage, Jamie Lloyd, Jeremy Herrin at the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden and at the National Theatre. She has since directed for the Donmar, Hampstead, the Bush and at Trafalgar Studios and the Wyndham’s in the West End. She co-wrote a new musical for the National Theatre earlier this year.
Composer and Musical Director – Simon Slater
Simon Slater has composed music for most of the theatres in the UK; a regular at the Mayflower in Southampton, his other credits include; the National Theatre, the West End, Hampstead, the Donmar, the Almeida and hundreds of theatres across the UK.
The Cast
The cast’s credits include; ‘Once’ (Phoenix Theatre, West End), ‘Marvellous’, (Soho Place, West End), ‘The Full Monty’ (West End), ’3 Winters’ (National Theatre), Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms Orchestra, Bristol Old Vic, Theatre Royal Bath, ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Silent Witness’, ‘Doctors’.