Frozen

Frozen tells the story of sisters Elsa and Anna, whose bond is strained by Elsa’s magical ice powers, sending them on a journey of love, self‑discovery and reconciliation.

Directed by Megan Jones with choreography by Abbie McLellan and Musical Direction by Sue Bond, Rising Star Studios’ Frozen delivered a colourful, spirited performance enhanced by digital graphics and atmospheric lighting.

Rosie Robb brought Anna’s goofiness and carefree charm to life with ease, giving the role a warm, engaging energy. Her chemistry with Evan Henderson during Love Is an Open Door was a highlight – a playful, well‑paced number that landed beautifully. Evan’s performance of Hans was particularly effective; he played the character with such sincerity that in Act Two when his true colours came to light, it was a genuine surprise. (I’ve never seen Frozen before!). Paige Larner offered strong, assured characterisation as Elsa, giving the role a steady, grounded presence. Raven Annis offered a gentle, supportive portrayal of Kristoff, partnering with Anna in her search for Elsa, joined by Sven (Emilio Politano). Evie McGhee’s characterisation of Olaf brought light, well‑timed humour throughout.

The choreography complemented the varied musical numbers within the show. With Let It Go and Hygge emerging as standout moments showcasing the dancers’ versatility.

The costumes were impressive, fitting each scene well and giving the company a unified look. Elsa’s dress reveal in Let It Go was flawless, earning an audible gasp from the audience.

Visually, the show made clever use of minimal set, creating plentiful space on the stage for the large cast. The use of screen graphics instead of traditional scenery boards kept the transitions smooth, adding an extra touch of magic. The colourful lighting and smoke effects supported the storytelling well, adding atmosphere without overwhelming the performers.

There were, however, notable technical issues. Microphone problems resulted in several beginnings of lines being missed and at times, the backing tracks overpowered the cast, making it difficult for soloists to cut through. Vocally, there were some beautiful choral moments within company numbers with clear harmonies shining through, though overall, it didn’t feel as vocally polished as Rising Star Studios’ previous productions  - perhaps a case of opening-night nerves. That said, Monster was a vocal triumph, led by Paige alongside Daisy Richardson (Teen Elsa) and Layla‑Skye Brennan (Young Elsa). Their combined performance created a powerful, well‑blended number. The chorus also shone in their numbers, the finale of Let It Go was a vocally strong number, with every member of the cast singing their heart out.

Despite these challenges, Rising Star Studios delivered a lively and enjoyable Frozen, with strong ensemble moments, and some genuinely memorable visual highlights.

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