Defrosted

This was my first visit to Stage Squad and it is certainly one I’ll not forget in a hurry.

Pantomime is a patriotic art form and one which, sadly, gets a lot of flack amongst theatre enthusiasts. I’ve been brought up with panto and adore how creative, fun and rewarding they can be from both the perspective as an audience member and being involved in the production itself.

With Pantomimes, the creative team have the wonderful and fortunate opportunity to be able to tailor the production to the abilities and strengths of their cast and that is exactly what Sean Kennedy has done to maximise the best delivery of his perfectly formed troupe.

The script had been written by the shows director which had been structured around the Disney hit film ‘Frozen’ with the inclusion of a few surprises along the way.

I must admit that I’d expected the content to have been more risqué than it was, being billed as an adult panto there were only a few moments which I’d say were not particularly suitable for children but the majority of it was relatively family friendly. I say – if you’re going to cross the line, go all the way and don’t hold back.

The blank centre fold of the programme to tear out, scrunch up and use as a snowball to throw at the cast (when given the que) was a brilliant idea, loved it!

This production had some of the most effective costumes I’ve seen, the quality of Sven the reindeer and Snowman Olaf (puppet) would not have been out of place on the Disney parade in Orlando. Very impressive.

Defrosted was a small cast which you’d think would be a negative comment when in fact it was virtuous to see a production here which didn’t over crowd the stage of ALT which was a breath of fresh air.

Tom boy Anna, played by Danni Eastwood was a standout performance, she carried the show with buckets of energy, her natural comic skills and gutsy vocals – she even made the raffle entertaining (almost as if it was part of the show). 

I very much enjoyed Carrie-Ann Bartlett’s choreography making sure her dancers had characters and performed with their faces as well as their feet which is equally as important (another refreshing trait!).

Zoe Ball presented her interpretation of a very flatulent Elsa. I almost felt sorry for her being laughed at while treating us to such a marvellous vocal performance. It was appropriate how she didn’t force it and let it happen naturally – I am of course referring to how she delivered the humour, not the wind!

Brad Richardson as Olaf demonstrated another natural comic trait accompanied with terrific puppetry skills, a very enjoyable act.

We had a great choice of songs which mainly consisted of commercial pop from across the last few decades and (as you’d expect) the recent Disney anthem ‘Let It Go’ was in there too, though not exactly as you may remember it.

Going forward, I’d very much like to see the appointment of a musical director to really push the overall presentation into another level to include some group singing which would support the strength of the principal’s capabilities.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.