There are moments in the digital world where the boundary between “virtual” and “reality” simply dissolves, replaced by pure, unadulterated magic. This December, I found myself standing in the heart of such a moment, invited by my dear friend Sepp Schimmer to witness a labor of love that can only be described as a mythic masterpiece: “The Return of the Winter Queens.”
A Second Chance at Magic
My journey to this frozen realm didn’t go quite as planned. On December 17th, I sat in anticipation, only to have my connection “crash” just fifteen minutes in. The venue was so packed, the energy so high, that I couldn’t find my way back in. But as fate – or perhaps the Winter Queens themselves – would have it, an extra performance was called for December 29th.
Stepping back into the GIMLE Group’s theater was like walking into a dream. The gathering area was a winterly masterpiece: a vast, circular dance floor surrounded by towering, snow-dusted trees, with hanging chairs swaying gently for the guests. After accepting the experience HUD, the world sharpened into focus, and the story began to breathe.
A Saga Written in Ice and Song
The story, penned by Sepp Schimmer, is far more than a seasonal tale; it is a profound exploration of choice and duality. We were guided through this frozen wild by Jallu Raymaker, the Storyteller, whose original music provided the very heartbeat of the performance.
The narrative crackles with tension. We watched the Snow Queen (Stella Guardian) arrive to claim her throne, weaving the first spells of winter as soft as a giant’s breath. But where there is light, there is shadow. Dark Lucia (Milo Joubert Befana) rose from the depths, leading a fierce army of warriors to steal the light of Yule.
The Artistry of the Frozen Wilds
The sheer scale of the production was breathtaking:
- The Scenery: Milo Joubert Befana created a world that felt both ancient and alive.
- The Choreography: Jändi Laville transformed the stage into a moving tapestry of light and shadow, from the vengeful strides of the Dark Men to the whimsical prancing of reindeer and Christmas elves.
- The Soundscape: Jallu Raymaker’s original compositions blended seamlessly with the haunting echoes of AURORA’s “The Seed” and the symphonic magic of Nightwish’s “Taikatalvi.”
The Triumph of Light
The heart of the saga lies in the clash between the Snow Queen and Dark Lucia. It’s a reminder that winter isn’t just about the biting cold; it’s about the “unbreakable bonds of community” and the choices we make to honor the light even when the nights are longest. When the Snow Queen finally triumphed, restoring balance to the world, you could feel the collective hope of everyone sitting in that circle.
As the show concluded, the message stayed with me: Winter is a promise. It is a battle won again and again, a reminder that the spark of hope – the dancing elves and the twinkling lights – can never truly be extinguished.
Experience it Yourself
If you missed the three successful live performances, you are in luck. The full magic of this production has been captured for all to see. Whether you are a fan of musical theater, a seeker of mythic tales, or simply someone looking for a bit of winter wonder, I cannot recommend this enough.
Watch the full performance here: The Return of the Winter Queens on YouTube
To Sepp, Jallu, Milo, Jändi, and the entire cast – thank you for reminding us that even in the heart of the ice, laughter rings and the magic endures.
*** The Creative Team & Cast:
- Music & Narration: Jallu Raymaker
- Scenery & Set Design: Milo Joubert Befana
- Choreography: Jändi Laville
- The Queens: Stella Guardian (Snow Queen), Milo Joubert Befana (Dark Lucia), and the Winter Queens (Baila, Kicki, Neevi, Seyona, Tazzy, and Vira).
- The Dark Men: Ashton, Dan Incognito, Matt Black Wolf, Pelle Herberg, Redhead Alter, StellanCorvidare.
- Elves: Dis Herbert, Gimlet, Gimlan.
- Story & Script: Sepp Schimmer
