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★★★★★
Here in Kent we are fortunate enough to have multiple theatres and in December this means there is lots of choice of festive shows to watch. The Gulbenkian Arts Centre on the University of Kent campus is hosting ‘The Snowsmith’ for their 2024 Christmas production: a magical adventure for the whole family which has been co-written by Henry Madd and Half a String. It involves an exciting quest to bring snow back to a fictional land, taking spectators on a journey through innovative puppetry, lively original songs and elements of audience interaction. I first heard about Half a String at the Edinburgh Fringe and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to watch some of their work in my local area this past weekend.
Background
The story takes place in the fictional land of Thawmor, which is full of unhappy and ungracious people. Eira (Dorthea Darby) lives in the town and is an inventor who can work wonders with weather, but unfortunately that does not extend to snow. Coming from a family of ‘snowsmiths’, Eira is desperate to make her grandmother proud and bring snow back to the town, hopefully turning her neighbours’ frowns upside down in the process. Breathtaking puppetry, varied lighting design and charismatic cast performances tell this adventure story, providing a really wonderful alternative Christmas show for families.
Intricate puppetry
It is worth mentioning that the set itself is simplistic, but what Half a String manages to create using detailed puppets, rotating signage, miniature set pieces and atmospheric lighting is nothing short of mesmerising. Cody the Snowy Owl and the Thawmor goats specifically are such wonderful creatures, brought to life exquisitely by the puppeteers.
Of all the standout moments that I could mention, the playful approach to scale is a personal highlight. The creative team facilitates the rapid transitions from physical acting to recreations of the actors as miniature puppets, adding an element of fun to the piece. The performers make the smaller puppets go utterly wild on stage, which keeps the production silly and light-hearted, to the amusement of everyone watching.
Musical elements
From songs about the miserable Thawmor to an abandoned mine, the folk score is incredibly dynamic. It helps to highlight the different locations Eira reaches on her travels, taking audiences on a musical journey. Amelia Gabriel leads the musical performances, with the exceptionally talented actor-musician also co-narrating the piece through enchanting vocals, guitar and banjo playing. Furthermore, Jamahyl Chan-Ellis recites a high energy rap number, which is cleverly delivered towards the end of the show.
Exceptional family theatre
‘The Snowsmith’ is proof of how innovative and creative family theatre can be, taking audiences to locations beyond their imagination. I look forward to hearing what Half a String do next, specifically in relation to next year’s Edinburgh Fringe. If ‘The Snowsmith’ is anything to go by, hopefully we’ll get to experience more visual spectacles from the company soon. Canterbury audiences are so fortunate to have the theatre company in town for the next couple of weeks. You can catch the show at the Gulbenkian until Thursday 19th December, with tickets available via the venue’s website.
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
*My ticket for ‘The Snowsmith’ was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.
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