The Snow Queen @ Royal Lyceum

From an audience lined with parents, grandparents and children, it is hard to gauge from first impressions at whom the Snow Queen is aimed.

Taking my seat to warm and fuzzy seasonal music and the innocent, sweet and sticky smell of candyfloss there’s an indication that it is probably for children. But as a young mother arrives with only a toddler in tow, I am hopeful that there will be a little something for the adult audience too.

From exaggerated voices to embellished costumes, everything is tailored for the little ones; but as I find myself open-mouthed with astonishment for a good ten seconds at one point during the show, there are a few surprises thrown in for the older crowd too. And humour. In costume alone, Robin Laing (Cobweb spider) brings a smile to the lips in every scene and that’s before his lines.

It may well be to do with the number of shows that the Snow Queen has tabbed up since its 2 December launch but some of the scenes felt tired and robotic and in need of some passionate injection; but as children give squeals of delight from the front seats, I think that this may just be my cynical grown-up eye. Happy children aside, the performances of Helen Mackay (Gerda), Mark Prendergast (Kay) and Julie Duncanson (Grandma) are great fillers for any forgotten love, and in the second-half, music, song and laughter add value.

If children aren’t for you, this probably isn’t the best choice of the capital’s winter theatrical offerings. But rest assured, children will be entertained.