The Snow Queen is a festive family treat (From The Oxford Times)

The Snow Queen is a festive family treat

9:00am Thursday 30th November 2006 in Search By Helen Peacocke

CHRISTMAS is always a special time of the year at the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, near Newbury.

This lovely little theatre, which is set in its own grounds, really comes into its own during the festive season.

When it's decorated with all the traditional trimmings and the fire in the restaurant has been lit, it's the perfect place to take the family during the Christmas holiday.

This year, the Watermill is staging The Snow Queen, written by Neil Duffield, who based his play on the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. In true Watermill tradition, it is a stunning visual treat with a magical mix of drama, music and song.

The Snow Queen has a heart of ice, with which she turns good to bad and light to dark. She uses her powers to turn Frey, the God of Spring, into frost and lures the lovely Kai, who has been living happily with his sister and grandmother, into her ice palace.

It's here that Kai gets a piece of the Snow Queen's ice mirror in his eye, which turns him from a charming, happy person into someone who sees everything in the world as bad and nasty.

But in Christmas shows baddies always get their comeuppance. The Snow Queen certainly does and all comes right in the end.

Those who would like to extend the theatre experience after the matine performance can book for a special Christmas tea for the children and a delicious cream tea for adults, which will be served in the attractive theatre restaurant, where a glorious log fire fills the air with the aroma of woodsmoke.

The Snow Queen opened last night and continues until January 6. For details of performance times and to book your tickets, phone the box office on 01635 46044.