About the Show
The Snow Queen
By Laura Lindow, Directed by Natalie Ibu
“It’s about a small girl. And a great adventure.”
In a town called Stifle lives a girl named Gerda. She is the only child in Stifle – until Kai arrives.
When the cruel Snow Queen whisks Kai away, Gerda embarks on an epic adventure, leaving her tiny town to face the icy unknown. Can she rescue Kai and save Christmas?
Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fable is thrillingly reimagined in this spellbinding new production.
A festively frozen fairytale for the whole family that you won’t want to miss this Christmas.
Casting director: LUCY & SOOKI – info@jmcasting.net
Who are we looking for?
All the cast should have good movement language, be all different shapes and sizes with a folky sensibility. We’re looking for a credible folk troupe, so all folk instruments will be useful – please tell us!
Rehearsals (Northern Stage): from 26th October 2026
Plays at Northern Stage: 3rd December – 2nd January 2027
Casting type: In-Person (Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom)
Auditions in London from w/c 18th May
Auditions in Newcastle w/c 26th May
We welcome and encourage applications from actors of any race, ethnicity or sexuality, including non-binary, neuro-divergent and differently abled actors.
GERDA BUCKLER
A well-meaning (if intrinsically chaotic) 11-year-old girl. Tin trumpet fanatic. Who knows how great she will be when she is allowed to play out loud. The actor will not need to be skilled at trumpet. Will insist on growing without permission. A hero waiting to happen.
A strong singing voice is desired. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing age: 18 years – 22 years
Accent and Dialect: Scottish accent
Height: Any height
Gender: Female, Transgender – female, Non-Binary
Appearance: African-American, Black-African, Black-Caribbean, Black-Other Areas, Asian, Chinese, East Asian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Pakistani, Middle Eastern, Mixed Race, Native American, North African
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
KAI TINKLER
Aged 12, Kai is a boy with ambition in his heart. He is curious and frank. He has a bad chest (asthma) and is sensitive to people assuming he can and can’t do things. Wears glasses until he is lured away.
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing age: 18 years – 22 years
Accent and Dialect: Geordie accent
Height: Any height
Gender: Male, Transgender – male, Non-Binary
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
ELSIE ORR
Formally Ms Else Orr, but given the intimacy our civilities, Elsie to us. Not horrible, just precise. A dark horse.
Also as cast.
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing Age: 25 years – 40 years
Accent and Dialect: Scottish accent
Height: Any height
Gender: Female, Transgender – female, Non-Binary
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
MR KELPINE
A bit like Maud from Dame Edna. Droopy. Elsie’s right-hand man. He is all things that require a job in Stifle. Changing hats accordingly. Announces all happenings. Weather. Trains. Crisis / Crises.
Also as cast.
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing Age: 25 years – 40 years
Accent and Dialect: Scottish Accent
Height: Any height
Gender: Male, Transgender – male, Non-Binary
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
DAD (MR BUCKLER)
Dad hasn’t been the same since his wife died 12 years ago. He used to be a cartographer. He is loving, but his world has closed down over the years. Who looks after who? You decide.
Also as cast.
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing Age: 30 years – 40 years
Accent and Dialect: Scottish accent
Height: Any height
Gender: Male, Transgender – male, Non-Binary
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
JOAN / SNOW QUEEN
Joan is a mousy and nervous Stifler.
Snow Queen is a child like Gerda essentially but with hundreds of years of gravitas at her disposal. She can grow and shrink in a split second.
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
Playing Age: 12 years – adult
Accent and Dialect: Scottish accent
Playing age: 18 years – 22 years
Height: Any height
Gender: Female, Transgender – female, Non-Binary
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
Rehearsals: £647.20
Performance rate: £653.02
Subs (where applicable): £235
All the above will be subject to the uplift when the new rates are published.
OFFSTAGE SWING
PLEASE NOTE THE SWING WILL JOIN REHEARSALS IN THE THIRD WEEK, NOVEMBER 9TH AND THEN ONCE PERFORMANCES START, WILL BE ON STANDBY
Actor muso role – please state what instruments and to what level. Singer. Possibly some puppetry will be required.
You must live locally – so less than 25 miles to the theatre.
Playing age: 18 years – 30 years
Height: Any height
Gender: Any gender
Appearance: Any appearance
Contract type: Equity – UK Theatre (Subsidised)
Contract info:
£647.20 for 2 weeks rehearsal and tech and then
£220 weekly retainer during the run and appropriate performance fees should they go on.
Please submit or have your agent submit the following to info@jmcasting.net by 12pm on Monday 18th May 2026.
- Your full name/performance name (if applicable) and pronouns or how you would like to be referred to.
- An indication of which role interests you based on the descriptions provided.
- A link to your Spotlight page or CV
- Any access needs you may have to audition, or if there’s anything we can do to make your time with us as comfortable as possible.
If you have any questions about the production, please email producer@northernstage.co.uk