Dundee Rep announces cast for magical return of The Snow Queen this Christmas
One of Dundee Rep’s much-loved festive productions is returning to the stage this Christmas, with the cast now officially announced!
The Snow Queen will return to Dundee Rep Theatre from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 30 December, bringing its musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic winter story back to the city for the first time since 2018.
Created by award-winning Scottish musical theatre duo Noisemaker, the production promises an adventure filled with original music, storytelling and plenty of Christmas magic.
And with rehearsals beginning later this month, Dundee Rep has now revealed the ten performers who will bring the story to life.
The Snow Queen returns after eight years
Originally staged at Dundee Rep in 2018, The Snow Queen was created by writers Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, who together form Noisemaker.
The pair are also known for their work on productions including Oor Wullie: The Musical, Ceilidh and Scots.
The story follows Gerda, a young girl whose best friend Kai mysteriously disappears into the snow.
Determined to find him, Gerda sets off on an extraordinary journey north, meeting a knight, a crow and a bandit along the way.
But as she travels towards the Snow Queen’s kingdom, she discovers that things might not be quite as they seem.
The musical offers a contemporary take on Andersen’s famous fairy tale, combining an original score with a story about friendship, courage and facing your fears.
Meet the cast of The Snow Queen
Leading this year’s production is Heather Gourdie, who will play Gerda, alongside Lewis Kerr as Kai and Madeline Grieve in the title role of the Snow Queen.
Kerr was nominated for Best Principal at the 2026 UK Pantomime Awards for his performance in Aladdie.
The rest of the cast includes Beth Marshall as Oma, Liz Kettle as Freya, David Mara as Sir Jeffrey and Benjamin Almon Colley as Crow/Torbald.
Josh Fernandes also joins the company, while Mizuki Shuzenji and Isabel Innes will make their professional stage debuts as Hallie and the Summer Princess respectively.
The production will be directed by Emily Oulton, whose previous credits include Make It Happen, a collaboration between Dundee Rep, National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival.
She has also worked on the multi-Olivier Award-winning West End production of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Helping more Dundee children experience theatre this Christmas
Alongside the return of The Snow Queen, Dundee Rep is launching a special Christmas Appeal to help more local children experience live theatre.
The theatre is inviting audiences to make a donation towards providing free tickets for children who might otherwise miss out on seeing a live performance.
Donations can be made when booking tickets for The Snow Queen or separately through Dundee Rep’s website.
The appeal aims to give more children and families the opportunity to enjoy the magic of theatre this festive season, including some who may be experiencing a live production for the very first time.
It’s a lovely initiative that could help make Christmas at Dundee Rep even more special for families across the city.
When is The Snow Queen at Dundee Rep?
The Snow Queen runs from Saturday 28 November until Wednesday 30 December 2026.
Preview performances will take place on 28 November and 1–2 December, ahead of the official opening night on Thursday 3 December at 7pm.
Tickets are available now through the Dundee Rep website.
With a returning musical, a newly announced cast and a Christmas Appeal helping local children discover live theatre, there’s plenty happening at Dundee Rep this festive season.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://dundeerep.co.uk/events/the-snow-queen
Find out more about the Christmas Appeal here: https://www.dundeerep.co.uk/christmas-appeal
