White As Snow is a deeply personal solo piece that blends singing, spoken word, storytelling and moments of character work to explore identity, religion and self-acceptance. Set within the experience of a Black Haitian immigrant family in Northern Canada, the title works on multiple levels. It references the physical environment of the Great White North, while also pointing to the reality of living in an overwhelmingly white world. It is a smart and quietly effective framing device that underpins much of what follows.
The piece opens in stillness. The performer, Rose-Ingrid Benjamin enters, settles the space and sits in a reflective, almost meditative state before breaking into song. It is an arresting beginning that immediately signals the importance of music in the storytelling. Throughout the performance, music is not just an addition but a core emotional language. The voice is exceptional. Rich, controlled and full of feeling, it carries some of the most powerful moments of the evening. In such an intimate space, the impact is immediate and at times overwhelming. The pianist and musical director, Katie James supports this beautifully, adding depth and occasionally stepping into vocal roles that complement the central performance.
The structure of the piece is more difficult to pin down. There are sections that feel like theatre, others that feel like poetry, and others that land closer to a lecture or sermon. At its strongest, the transitions into music or heightened spoken word feel intentional and engaging. At its weakest, the piece drifts into explanation, losing some of its theatrical energy and becoming more like a talk than a performance.
Thematically, the show is rich and layered. It explores religion not just as belief but as a system of control shaped by history. The connection between colonialism and the spread of religious doctrine is drawn clearly, and the piece brings that macro idea down to a deeply personal level within the family. Expectations around faith, career and identity become a form of confinement. The pressure to conform is constant, and the cost of stepping outside it is presented as isolation from family and community.
What makes this particularly effective is the nuance. Benjamin does not present religion as entirely negative. There is genuine joy in the early memories of church, especially through music. There is a sense of belonging and purpose. But over time, that same structure becomes restrictive, especially as it clashes with personal truth. The idea of being able to exist within that system only by hiding parts of yourself is explored with honesty and clarity.
The emotional core of the piece lies in the family relationships. The mother in particular casts a long shadow. She is both loved and feared, supportive in some ways and deeply controlling in others. The admission that true freedom only arrived after her death is one of the most striking moments in the show. It is uncomfortable, complicated and entirely human. That tension between love and limitation runs throughout the piece and gives it much of its weight.
There are also moments of sharp realization that land effectively. One of the most memorable comes when Rose-Ingrid Benjamin is singing a religious song and suddenly becomes aware of the words. What had once been automatic no longer feels true, and the line cannot be finished. It is a simple moment but it captures the shift from inherited belief to personal understanding in a very immediate way.
As a performer, Benjamin is highly magnetic. There is a natural charisma and an expressiveness that draws the audience in completely. Physical presence, particularly facial expression and stillness, holds attention even in the quietest moments. The show does not rely on elaborate staging, and it does not need to. A few props are used effectively to support the storytelling, but the performance itself carries the piece.
There are elements of the design that feel less necessary. The use of projection, for example, does not add much and occasionally distracts from the intimacy of the space. This is a show that would benefit from trusting its simplicity. The strongest moments come when it is just the performer, the music and the story.
Overall, White As Snow is an engaging and thought provoking piece. There are moments of real power, particularly in the music and the emotional honesty of the storytelling. As a complete package, it lands at a strong three out of five. The performance and the voice push well beyond that, and with a clearer sense of structure, this could become something truly exceptional.
We are giving this 3/5 Ds (D D D)
Cast & Creative
Photos by Daniel Hunt
