📍Unicorn Theatre, London

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

What better way to kick off the festive feelings than to indulge in a wintry epic tale filled with Gods and cozy moral messages?  The Unicorn’s Christmas production of Odd and the Frost Giants delivers all of this and more.

Based on the Neil Gaiman novel, Odd and the Frost Giants is set against an ancient and snowy Norwegian backdrop and follows unlikely hero Odd. In his life, Odd must deal with the grief of recently losing his father, alongside butting heads with his intolerant new step-father, and a village who view him as a ‘weakling’. But when he finds himself unexpectedly in the company of displaced Gods Loki, Thor and Odin, it turns out that he may be just what they need to win back their kingdom, Asgaard as they set out on a quest. Odd must use his unique wit and smarts to go head to head with a Frost Giant.

Odd and the Frost Giants is full of heart. As a children’s show, you expect larger-than-life characters, almost closer to animation, and this show delivers in spades. Georgia Frost, Leo Wan and Simon Startin achieve a slick comedic dynamic as Thor, Loki and Odin respectively. The trio of Gods are buzzing with energy, bold characteristics and physical comedy for the children in the audience, with enough wink-wink-nudge-nudge moments to make the adults in the audience chuckle (dialogue describing one’s first ‘trip across the rainbow bridge’ springs to mind of oblivious children looking at giggling parents). Frost and Wan’s double act could be watched for hours as they poke and dig at each other, always finding comedy in the contrast of their characters, while Startin’s Odin is reserved, wizened and powerful. Similarly, Archee Aitch Wylie as protagonist Odd is born for children’s theatre, carrying the production with instant and easy audience rapport and an endearing cheekiness and can-do attitude sure to inspire the youngsters watching.

Milla Clarke’s set design is stunning – clean and simple yet highly effective in creating a world rich in Norse mythology with high, shaggy pillars creating the illusion of snowy landscape, and beautiful use of projection throughout. The true beauty of this production however, is in how accessible it is. Captions play alongside the action, but are cleverly weaved into the lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, never feeling like an afterthought but instead working intrinsically with the set design, adding significant engagement for the audience as a whole. Accessibility was clearly a non-negotiable within the design concept and the production is better for it; the world created is all the more thrillingly visceral. It was encouraging to see accessibility dealt with such care, creativity and innovation.

It is worth mentioning that the production runs at two hours (with an interval), and with some lengthy scenes of dialogue throughout, the pace can occasionally drop which could be worth bearing in mind for some young audience members – though those in the audience when I watched were completely captivated. Overall, it is an utterly joyous production, immersing you in a world of magic and endless possibility – and a perfect way to kick off the festive season.

🎟️ Odd and the Frost Giants runs until the 31st December, 2024

Tickets and information: https://www.unicorntheatre.com/