A tale of love, loss and exploration, this is an intrepid exploration of physical theatre and storytelling. The soundtrack to Amelie plays gently in the background as we’re ushered in by the cast, already on stage and interacting. This is a sign of things to come, as the fourth wall is broken and audience interaction continues throughout the show.
A tale of love, loss and exploration
We are transported to Sweden to hear the story of three explorers, setting off for the North Pole, and of the young women left behind. My Love Lies Frozen in the Ice is told with brevity and humour, capturing the love and loss in this story well. The movement in this production also illustrates the light and the dark of the story; cleverly moving from 39 Steps style comedic movement to a contemporary fluid style.
Capturing the vast expanse of snow seen in the North Pole is no easy task; the use of the set to bring this to life was an inspired choice. As the landscape was moved by the cast, the fluid movement of the white canvas transformed the room from glacier to vast ocean in a moment. Notable mention must also go to the cast, for the good balance of humour and, at times, sorrow portrayed. In particular, Jodie Davey for her depiction of Mathilde, doting fiance and daring female explorer. James Parker also shone in this production, with a subtle and endearing performance as Nils. Although this show is marketed as a family show, the sexual references and swearing, though subtle, might not be suitable for younger audience members.
With the competition in this genre being so fierce, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd during the fringe. Dead Rabbits Theatre has produced a solid show with physicality and feeling. The premise, puppetry and production have enormous potential but the show lacked the punch required for it to be truly memorable. This company is filled with talent and could be the one to watch as the production goes from strength to strength.
