Disney Frozen Jr The Musical

Across the Boards Theatre School and Productions brought a snowstorm of sparkle, talent, and pure Disney magic to the stage with their production of Frozen Jr. — and what a joyful, heart-warming performance it was. With an ensemble of 33 young performers aged 4 to 18, this was a shining example of youth theatre done right – full of energy, imagination, and a whole lot of heart.

At the very centre of it all was the unstoppable Anna Cross, who wore more hats than the costume rail could hold — Director, Musical Director, Choreographer, Producer, Costume Designer, and Stage Manager – and somehow still managed to fix technical mishaps mid-show with absolute professionalism and calm. It was clear this was a passion project for Anna, and what she delivered was nothing short of extraordinary. Her vision for the production, her dedication to the young cast, and her ability to pull everything together with such warmth and polish should be not just applauded but properly celebrated. This show didn’t just tell a story — it created an experience.

The choreography was simple in the best way – accessible, expressive, and effective, allowing the full cast to shine. From the elegant balletic snowflakes in Let It Go to swirling blizzards of white cloaks, Anna used movement to fill the stage with life.

Special shoutout to Katie Cross for her clever and well-used props – from sleds to snowballs, everything hit the mark. And the magic system for Elsa – using lighting effects and paper streamers – had the audience gasping every time! It was a clever and exciting way to show the magic, and it brought that Disney sparkle right to our seats.

The cast worked as one, supporting each other, listening, reacting, giving everything they had in each scene and song. It was clear that these performers weren’t just reciting lines – they were living their characters. And while every single cast member gave it their all, a few standouts deserve a special round of applause:

Lola Drury as Young Anna was full of energy and charm. Her confidence, stage presence, and natural talent were nothing short of impressive – such a vibrant performance from such a young actor.

Arthur Geraghty stole every scene as Sven. Clad in his reindeer onesie and furry boots, Arthur committed fully to the role from the moment he stepped onstage to the final bow. His facial expressions and physical comedy were absolute genius. Alex Hitchins brought Olaf to life with dry wit and gentle humour. His delivery was pitch-perfect, and when paired with Sven, the two became a brilliant silent comedy duo, adding charm to every scene they entered.

As Hans, Amelia Holloway nailed the Disney-villain switch. Starting with all the charm of a prince, she had the audience swooning – until the twist came, and jaws hit the floor. Brilliant! Paired with Maggie Christian as Weselton (or should we say Weaseltown), Maggie’s dancing was spot-on.

And of course, Bethany Harrison as Elsa and Lola Connor-Emmott as Anna. Bethany delivered Elsa’s inner conflict with maturity and elegance – her Let It Go was a powerful moment that brought the house to life. Lola, meanwhile, was every bit the Disney princess: expressive, warm, and completely captivating. Her performance as Anna was full of personality, heart, and star-quality stage presence.

Thank you, Across the Boards, for reminding us of the magic of theatre and the extraordinary power of young performers. You should all be incredibly proud.

 

Craig Pinnington D5

 

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