ANYONE planning on visiting The Nuffield theatre in Southampton this Christmas had better wrap up warm.

Because temperatures are set to drop when the Southampton theatre puts on its biggest production to date, The Snow Queen.

Written by Hans Christian Anderson, the winter tale has been delighting audiences since 1845, but now thanks to careful direction from Patrick Sandford, the play will be getting a new lease of life.

The Snow Queen tells the tale of the boy, Kai, who has a piece of ice in his heart.

Forgetting his family and all who love him, he runs away.

However, his friend Gerda refuses to give up on him and sets herself on a quest to find little Kai.

Through the frozen north and with help from reindeer and polar bears, Gerda finally finds the castle in which her friend is hidden.

But there is one problem - she has to get past the evil Snow Queen before she can get to him.

The snowy production is full of songs and comedy, bringing the magic of Christmas alive on stage for audiences of all ages.

The show promises to be even better than last year's hit production Robin Hood and his Merry Christmas and is a great seasonal show for anyone looking for an alternative to pantomime.

The Nuffield, Southampton. Thursday, November 25 to January 8. Tickets: from £10.50. Box office: 023 8067 1771.