Disney's Frozen Jr.

Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway and West End Disney musical. It has been cut down to its essentials, featuring the memorable songs from the animated film plus some extra songs written specially for the stage version. The story concentrates on the relationship between two sisters, Princesses Anna and Elsa and is a tale of true love and acceptance between them. It has a huge cast of chorus and named characters – ideal for youth groups, such as Fareham Musical Society's Youth Theatre, though perhaps a headache for the creative team!

Director Jen Sharland and her two choreographers, Molly and Jess Sharland, must have worked really hard rehearsing such a big cast, but what a result! Please forgive me if I don’t mention everyone, but there are so many of you! You all looked like you were having a marvellous time, and you told the story so well through your acting and dancing, that even someone like me, a complete newbie to Frozen, understood what was happening.

Crucial to the story of course are the two princesses, Anna and Elsa, and we see them as they grow up, with Brooke Wallis and Izzie Gates as the young girls, Summer Parkins and Jessica Judd as the not-quite-so-young girls and Emily Jarman and Daisy Ferguson as the older girls. You all performed your roles really well, you were spirited and confident, gave the characters lots of life and attitude, and sang beautifully. The older girls, with the benefit of more mature voices, gave great performances of their solo numbers, acting them as well as singing them. I must also compliment Patrick Smith and Freya Keay as Kristoff and Sven because you worked so well together; Wills Illman was a marvellous snowman, Olaf, full or character, humour and great comic timing; and Izzy Merryweather as Prince Hans, so perfectly two faced and cruel once he has gained the throne.

What a fabulous set! The Ashcroft’s stage doesn’t allow much room for a set, but the beautifully painted triangular flats – easily turned by the cast to change the scene – were all that was needed, along with some equally good furniture, all painted to match, and some wonderful props (like the huge ice lollies and snowflake umbrellas). All the decoration was guaranteed to make us feel cold! Huge well done to Jen & Phil Sharland and Graeme Clements for the set, and Jen Sharland and Jane Clements for the props. Colourful and well-fitting costumes (from Young Creatives, Portsmouth) along with effective sound and lighting (Alice Evans and Graeme Clements) completed the picture. MD Ben Lister, conducting from the front row, made sure everyone kept perfectly in time with the good quality soundtracks that were used.

What a great show! It was the perfect introduction to Frozen for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. It was obvious that a lot of hard work and dedication had gone into making it such a success, both by the people on stage and all the people behind the scenes. Thank you for a marvellous evening’s entertainment, it was all over far too soon!

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