Enchanting festive theatre: The Dukes’ 2025 Christmas show promises magic, music and snow – tickets on sale
Prepare to be enchanted this festive season with a classic tale in a winter wonderland.
The Dukes pride themselves on enchanting festive storytelling and this year is no different with their production of the Hans Christian Anderson classic, The Snow Queen. This tale of bravery and courage will tell the story of a frozen heart melted by the power of friendship.
Audiences will be taken on an icy adventure this Christmas (the show runs from November 21 to December 31) as they join brave Gerda on a mission to rescue her friend Kai who has been abducted from their sleepy village by the legendary Snow Queen.
On her journey through enchanted forests, frozen landscapes, and strange lands, Gerda meets unusual characters and faces daunting challenges. Where she discovers that the true power to overcome darkness lies in bravery, friendship, and the warmth of the human heart.
Meet the cast
The full cast includes:
- Gareth Cassidy (The Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit, Beauty & The Beast, Hansel & Gretel, A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan and Treasure Island: the Dukes) as Mr -Buckler.
- Tori Burgess (The Wizard of Oz: the Dukes, Richard, My Richard: Shakespeare North & Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, A Little Princess :Theatre By The Lake) Both are returning to the Dukes after starring in the latest Park Show, The Wizard of Oz.
- Amy Tara will be starring as Gerda Buckley after spending last Christmas as Arrietty in The Borrowers (Ophelia in Hamlet: Stafford Shakespeare, Arrietty Clock in The Borrowers: the Dukes, Rumi in The Snow Queen: Wrongsemble); having performed in previous Dukes productions
- Victoria Brazier (Pride & Prejudice: Storyhouse, A Little Princess: Theatre by The Lake, The Book Thief: Bolton Octagon) returns as Elsie Orr
- Harri Pitches (Breadcrumbs: Wrongsemble, Drift: Interplay, Outlander: Sony/STARZ) as Kai Tinkler
- William Travis (Robin Hood: Oldham Coliseum, Coronation Street: ITV, This is England) as Mr Kelpine.
Behind the scenes
The Snow Queen will be directed by Chris Lawson and the adaptation has been written by Laura Lindow.
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I’m thrilled to be directing The Snow Queen here at The Dukes, we have an exceptional creative team and cast assembled, a mix of home-grown talent and those looking forward to spend Christmas in this wonderful city! We promise you a Christmas show full of heart, magic and snow!”
Laura is a Scottish Writer and Director who has lived and worked in the North for over 25 years. Writing credits include: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Snow Queen, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The War Of The Worlds, Up and Out Christmas Sprout, (Northern Stage) and The Christmas Tree (Durham’s Gala).
Laura performs as Clown Doctor Dr Lulu McDoo for Tin Arts, working with hospitalised children and their families. She was a member of The Royal Court Writers’ Group North 2017/2018 and received the Journal Culture Award for Writer Of The Year 2019. She was 2023/24 Writer In Residence for Newcastle Hospitals Charity/New Writing North supporting hospital staff to tell their stories. Since May 2024 Laura has been Resident Artist at Newcastle Theatre Royal.
The creative team includes Dave Bintley (Composer/Musical Director), Brent Lees (Production Manager), Adam McCready (Sound Designer), Rachel Walton-Daniels (Set and Costume Designer), Heléna Ferreira (Choreographer) and Laura O’Connor (Head of Costume).
Book your seats
Tickets are on sale now; dukeslancaster.org or by contacting The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or [email protected].
School and Group Bookings are also available, please contact The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or [email protected]
Find out more and check out the upcoming shows on the website here