THE FROZEN SCREAM | STAGE REVIEW
Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 16 Dec
Terrifying, funny and oh so clever – the The Frozen Scream is the farthest from Panto that a Christmas show can get.
It’s the rip-roaring twenties where cocktails, coke and elaborate costume parties in the middle of the countryside are all the rage.
A recently engaged couple, the arrogant Tony (played by Andrew Dowbiggin) and worried Madeleine (Anna Andresen), find themselves stranded when their car gets stuck in a snow storm. Dressed their best the pair were trying to get to a party thrown by their old pal Freddie, but instead of arriving at a guest filled manor house they stumble into an decrepit old lodge. The lights are low, the phones are out and the atmosphere is eerie.
They aren’t the only ones to get stuck in the storm, however, as they are soon surprised by the arrival of the beautiful, no-nonsense Jinty (Victoria John). Being Madeline’s former lover, Jinty was seemingly heading to the party to win her love back and she certainly isn’t welcomed by Tony in this more intimate setting.
It soon becomes a party of four, however, as their bumbling friend Roger turns up at the lodge’s window.
Resigned to missing Freddie’s party the group decide to enjoy some ‘snow’, drink some brandy and have their own soirée. The jovial atmosphere doesn’t last long though, as Madeleine starts telling the spine chilling tale of that cruel, cold creature: Jack Frost.
As any horror movie will tell you, this is where things go wrong.
Lights go out, there are mysterious phone calls and sudden noises. The tension was ingeniously created and maintained and I personally found it god damn petrifying. I bravely screamed like a child at several points during the show, and refused to let go of my partner’s hand.
At some points I was so worked up I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it through the whole performance without panicking and running away (thankfully the mid-show mulled wine calmed my nerves enough to see it through till the end).
The whole show was very well done, it had twists and turns and created tension in many unexpected ways. The performances were strong, and the actors even added some much needed humour.
From a critic’s stand-point I was a little disappointed that the most terrifying moments we’re in the middle of the show, rather than the end, but from a frightened-audience-member perspective I am so thankful that it didn’t get any scarier!
The Frozen Scream isn’t a show for the faint hearted, and if you decide to brave the ice I wouldn’t recommend you do it alone. There is safety in numbers after all.
words HEATHER ARNOLD
The Frozen Scream, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, until Sat 20 Dec. Tickets: £16 (includes glass of mulled wine or soft drink). Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
