Disney's Frozen Jr

Williams Creatives brought Disney’s Frozen Jr to life last night at the Sue Townsend Theatre in Leicester, delivering a vibrant, heartfelt production of the modern classic. Based on the 2018 Broadway musical, the show brings Elsa, Anna and the magical world of Arendelle to the stage with all the beloved songs from the animated film. At its core, Frozen Jr is a story of true love and acceptance between sisters, and this production captured that emotional journey beautifully. With over 70 young performers involved across two completely different teams, the scale and spirit of the company were immediately clear. The audience—full of excited young people and families from Team Anna—created a wonderful buzz that reflected the supportive, community‑minded nature of Williams Creatives.

I received a warm welcome from the front‑of‑house team (Abi Crossley, Amanda Johnson, Emily Newton, Sarah Brown and Sula Kyprianou) before having a quick chat with directors Joshua Taylor‑Williams and Cathy Robinson. Both were excited for opening night and proud of Team Elsa, who were performing. While waiting for the show to begin, I enjoyed looking through the colourful programme featuring every young person involved.

Staging and Technical Elements

The staging offered plenty of space for movement and dance, with steps, rocks, set pieces like the Oaken family’s shop, helping to shape each location. Projections enriched the storytelling, and the lighting design by James Ansell was rich and colourful, enhancing the mood of every musical number. Tom Brooks’ sound design was strong throughout; even when a few microphone issues arose, the cast handled them with professionalism and confidence.

I was particularly impressed by the performers singing offstage to support those onstage—likely while mid‑costume‑change and racing to their next entrance. It showed real teamwork and commitment.

The use of doors, simple blocks, beds and curtains allowed seamless transitions from the palace interior to the town square, up into the snowy mountains and back again. The backstage crew (Stage Manager Sharon Brown, DSM Callum Taylor‑Williams and Kira Yates) worked efficiently to keep scene changes swift and discreet.

Costumes and Presentation

Costumes by Andrea Bruen, Erica Haynes and Willow Haynes were delightful. The ensemble looked charming, the dancers elegant, and the main characters instantly recognisable. A particularly clever costume reveal—no spoilers—was executed flawlessly. Wigs and makeup complemented each character beautifully, enhancing expressions and helping the young cast bring their roles to life.

I loved the use of colour and the variety of styles, which highlighted the differences between the Hidden Folk, the townspeople and the more elemental dancers. This thoughtful contrast added visual richness to the production and made each group feel distinct and memorable.

Performance

Overall, the quality of the acting and singing was superb. Bright vocals, strong characterisation and clever direction meant that every young performer had a moment to shine. Elsa (Martha Whittaker) and Anna (Ciara Daisley) were excellent; their voices blended beautifully, and they supported each other with a natural, believable sisterly connection. I particularly appreciated their clear diction and consistent accents, which meant every word was easy to hear.

Ruben Bruen delivered strong performances in both of his roles as the King and Kristoff, showing impressive versatility. Olaf (Ollie Stocker) and Sven (Macy Burditt) clearly had great fun onstage, bringing warmth and humour to their characters.

Two other standout performances came from Florence Dann as Weselton and Austin Parker as Hans. Both brought energy, confidence and individuality to their roles, demonstrating sharp comic timing and a maturity beyond their years. All the Anna’s and Elsa’a were terrific, playing the sisterly relationship with warmth and affection.  (Young Elsa – Paige Atkins, Middle Elsa -Thea White with Young Anna - Evelyn Crossley and Middle Anna - Indiana Burditt.)

Choreographer Lutricia Russell created effective and engaging dance routines that complemented both the costumes and the characters beautifully. I particularly enjoyed the ballet sequences and found the ice dancers especially captivating. The ensemble conveyed the emotion of each dance with real commitment, expressing the mood of every moment with clarity and confidence.

The characterisation during For the First Time in Forever was a real highlight. There was so much happening onstage that it became a delightful challenge to take in all the detailed touches—from stacked plates being carefully carried across the stage, to the large gates, the joyful townsfolk and the many busy, lively elements each performer contributed. It was a rich, bustling scene full of personality and charm.

The final moment of Act 1 and the opening of Act 2 were wonderful—strong performances supported by incredible lighting. The audience responded with huge applause, which showed me they appreciated it just as much as I did. I’m sure Ellie Barratt (Musical Director) was thrilled with how well you all performed. It is clear that Ellie has worked hard to get the music and harmonies just right.

Other members of the team.

I must give a special thank‑you to the chaperones, without whom the young people simply could not perform. I met some of you backstage after the show and was genuinely impressed by your organisation and the way every performer listened and followed instructions so well. Lead Chaperones Katie Singleton and Andrea Bruen deserve particular recognition.

I was also fortunate to meet some additional stage hands who turned out to be Team Anna performers. It was lovely to see everyone supporting each other from backstage, working together to bring the very best performance to your audiences.

Your programme was good, although I was disappointed that the NODA words were not included, which means I can’t put it forward for our 2026 competition. Your poster will still be entered. May I suggest including a list of recent past productions as well as upcoming shows in future programmes? It’s lovely to see photographs of every performer, but it might be helpful to include the roles alongside the pictures, in addition to the full cast list elsewhere.

The programme did feel a little rushed, with a few errors and some duplicated photos, so that’s something to consider for next time. With a bit more time and attention, it could be an excellent companion to such a strong production.

Your socials were full of information about the show, where to get tickets and rehearsal moments, so well done there.

Overall, it was a wonderful night of entertainment—once again, you are punching above your weight and bringing professional touches to a junior production. I’m so proud of you all and wish both Team Anna and Team Elsa the very best of fun for the rest of your run. I left with a strong sense that you are a caring, generous and supportive company on and off the stage.  You deserved the standing ovation, well done.

 

 

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