Frozen Jr.

Having seen Frozen in both the West End and on Broadway, the show has always left me feeling a little cold (pun not intended!) and so I was dubious in what to expect as I took my seat for WADAMS Next Generation production of Frozen Jr. – an abridged adaptation for young performers.   I’m pleased to say that all my previous preconceptions of Frozen very quickly melted away (pun intended) as the almost capacity audience were treated to a very good production indeed.

Taking the leading role of Elsa, Layla Nicol gave a really mature performance and did a brilliant job with the ‘big-sing’ of the show – Let It Go.  Despite one of the illusions not going quite to plan on the night I attended, she covered it well. The transformation into the ice castle was excellently staged and Elsa’s dress reveal was immaculately executed – well done to Layla and the person in charge of that trick – a clever use of lighting and tremendous timing made the audience gasp!

Caylee Cunningham took the role of Anna, spare to the throne of Arendelle.  Caylee gave a strong performance throughout but really came into her own during Love is an Open Door, getting lots of laughs from the audience alongside her Hans, Henry Voce.

On reflection, all of the principals gave accomplished performances, from James Voce as Olaf to Harry Basnett as Kristoff – WADAMS should be very proud of the talent they have within their group to be able to pull together a principal line up as that which was on display.

It’s always a joy to see younger members getting their breakthrough role. It was the first time I have seen Rosie Hudson perform and I thought she was absolutely exceptional.  This sounds very cliché, but at first I honestly thought WADAMS had dubbed her singing with the Broadway Cast Recording  - yes, that good!  She was outstanding in the small role as Young Anna – one to watch in the future, I think.

The chorus numbers were all performed well -  Mark Hazzard once again as musical director brings the best out of his performers.   I loved the staging of the opening, with some great musical staging provided by choreographers Adam MacCreedy and Aimee Rance.  

WADAMS really had thrown everything at this production, there were so many technical elements which were weaved together seamlessly in director Daniel MacCreedy’s production– a video LED wall, projection, snow falling over the stage and a selection of illusions to create the magical world of Arendelle.   The technical team should be very pleased with what they achieved with this one.  I do like the use of video in productions and the content was of very high quality.  I liked that select set pieces were used in front of the video wall as this breaks up the stage space during the more intimate scenes.  More often nowadays, professional and amateur companies alike use just a screen on an empty stage and I always feel it looks like somebody has stolen all the scenery – so well done all for giving us audience members another level of perspective which I always find lifts the production values.

I had a wonderful evening at Frozen Jr - thank you to WADAMS for your hospitality and it was really lovely to be accompanied for the evening by President, Joan Whitehead.

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