Scottish Ballet presents The Snow Queen at His Majesty’s Theatre.

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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.

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The story of #SBSnowQueen centres around two beautiful sisters who look into the future with an enchanted mirror and see that the Summer Princess kisses a handsome stranger.  Desperate to find this love she runs away from their Ice Palace looking for him, leaving the Snow Queen angry at being alone.  In her rage she smashes the mirror.  The Princess tries to integrate with a village, becoming known as Lexi, a pick pocket.  One day she sees a young man, Kai, propose to a lady who he is obviously deeply in love with, Gerda, in the town centre.  She recognises him as the man in the mirror and tries to meet him but a travelling circus arrives and fills the square with acrobats, clowns and a strong man.  Suddenly the Snow Queen and her wolves appear and steal Kai away, hoping to lure her sister home.  Who will win the man…

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As always with a Scottish Ballet performance the dancing is beautiful, the costumes and sets divine, and the orchestra are flawless.  Choreography is by Christopher Hampson, with Design by Lez Brotherston OBE.  The Principal dancers Bethany Kingsley-Garner, Constance Devernay-Laurence and Marge Hendrick would be a hard trio to choose between even if you were not bewitched!

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My favourite scene was at the beginning of the second act when the main characters all follow the circus performers back to their Gypsy caravans, in search of Mazelda the fortune teller.  Everyone is dancing with this amazing set in the background of 2 stunning caravans and the camp fire.  The circus performers are slapping their legs, gleefully enjoying each other’s company and showing off their dancing skills.  The ladies have such colourful dresses and they all just look so happy.  Plus the unusual addition of a violinist live on stage, and Gillian Risi fitted in well with the travelling people as she played so beautifully.

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Ballet is not all leotards and tutus with the Scottish Ballet, the costumes worn are befitting the characters.  I was once lucky enough to get back stage at one of their performances and saw all the sparkles and shine lined up.  The little girl who loved her ballet classes who I used to be was enthralled and delighted, although I was rather more Sugar Plump Fairy!  I’m sure many little girls dream of being stunning dancers, and some of us still make believe occasionally in our bedrooms.

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There is something otherworldly and magical about watching a ballet.  Every time I’ve seen the Scottish Ballet I’ve forgotten the world outside for the length of performance, taken to this other spectacular world where no one gets caught up in the complications of conversation.  I knew before I went that my opinion of the show would be that everyone should go and that it was a 5 star production, and we all love to be able to say “I was right”!

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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.

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