Frozen Jr
Information
- Date
- 22nd June 2024
- Society
- HC Vocal and Performance Academy Limited
- Venue
- Hummersknott Academy
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Holly Clifford
- Musical Director
- Holly Clifford and Robert Baker
With short notice I was asked to step in to provide a review for this production and what an honour it is to write about this incredibly talented society after a slick and polished performance.
Before I mention the cast it is worth mentioning that despite HC being an Academy their productions are a true team effort and to compliment the wonderful direction of Holly Clifford the parents, grand-parents and helpers are all hands on making the wonderful costumes, building and painting set/props, perfecting the hair and make-up and even providing hot meals for the longer rehearsals. With a huge cast including the mini juniors this is a huge feat and some serious work must have gone into this as everything was perfect even down to the matching hairstyles of all the girls (I don’t think you even get this at a professional level).
The set was simple yet extremely effective using large screens at the rear that could be turned for different scenes, roll on beds, door frames, sleighs and platforms - this all worked well with quick changes and the lighting took us on a wonderful journey through the seasons with the cold blue gels creating a chilly winter setting.
The costumes were so clever from the traditional Disney Characters to the really intricate detail of the Trolls to the large ensemble all in matching outfits. Sometimes less is more and the clever use of blue and white outfits in the Hit number Let it Go created a fantastic vision without distracting from the vocals of Elsa. We also had a number of breaks from the cold with a trip to Hawaii with “In Summer”, every member of the cast living their best life in bright and colourful shirts and skirts.
HC Academy is blessed with some of the most talented youngsters and rightly each is given their chance to shine with the principal roles put into a split cast, it is lovely to see these members also take part in the main ensemble on their nights “off”. The ensemble were fantastic bringing such joy and energy to each scene, every large number was like a giant party. From the beautifully choreographed opening number (I loved the use of the Maypole to give different levels to the stage) to the party with Olaf in In Summer to a brilliant Finale. However the showcase number for me was Hygge, a song not used in the film, where we were transported to an Oktoberfest style festival. The number, led expertly by Geroge Richardson as Oaken was such a joy to watch you could see the smiles beaming on everyone’s faces and I wanted to grab myself a Stein of fine German beer and join in such was the atmosphere.
The vocals were so clear and precise with a lot of harmony used throughout and it is very clear how hard Holly has worked on this, complimented by the new addition of Robert Baker to her team.
This show is brilliant in that in addition to the lead roles there are a large number of minor principal roles which allowed many of the members to showcase their talents. Lilly Mackenzie and Liv Cornhill were suitably noble as the King and Queen interacting wonderfully with Holly Neale, Freya Thompson, Macie Robinson and Lisa Todd as the young and middle Anna and Elsa’s on the evening I attended. The acting ability of these younger members was brilliant as they set the story rolling with a couple of fab songs in A Little Bit of You and Do You Want to Build a Snowman. All 4 girls had great stage presence and lovely voices for performers so young but I must give a special mention to Macie Robinson whose vocals blew me away- 7 Years old - that must be a typo in the programme there.
As the story developed we met the Troll family led by Freddie Dale as Pabbie and Gabriella Boddy as Bulda and what great characters they both were. Freddie has developed so well since I last saw him and Gabriella's clear diction, lovely voice and infectious energy was lovely to watch. You both led the number Fixer Upper with ease as the ensemble joined in for some wonderful choreographed chaos.
Seth Cohen was suitably nasty and slimy in the role of Westleton as he mastered the dance floor at the ball and Jacob Robinson played the role of Bishop with such ease combining this with a prominent figure in the ensemble. Jacob also doubled up as Hans and I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you in this role but I know you will have nailed the complex character.
No Disney would be complete without a horrible baddy and Finn Bartlett was ideally cast as Hans effortlessly managing the switch from a warm and loving suitor for Anna to a cruel and sneaky wannabee Dictator. Well done Finn not only did you nail this role but your vocals in Love is an Open Door were stunning.
Two of the loveable characters in Frozen have to be Kristoff and Sven and these were played by the very impressive Ellie Lofts and Lexi Thompson. Ellie mastered the slightly naive Kristoff with some genius facial expressions matched by the hysterical Lexi who, in a genius Disney styled costume, made us fall in love with the heart warming Reindeer character. Your duet of Reindeers are better than people again allowed us to witness the quality of the voices in the group.
Before I move on to the main ladies themselves I have to praise the genius of Lacey Simpson, the performance of the night for me. As Olaf she had the audience in the palm of her hand, great comic timing on her lines delivery matched with great energy including multiple bum wiggles and a great delivery of the Hit number - In Summer.
So the evening I attended was the turn of Holly Wake as Elsa and Lucy Wilkinson as Anna in the title roles but not wanting the other girls to miss out I managed to nab Amber Evans (Elsa) and Leanna Honeyman (Anna) for a quick rendition of For the First Time in Forever the Reprise and they did this Acapella for me, totally thrown in the deep end. What beautiful vocals harmonising together with ease from 2 very talented young ladies and having witnessed them thrive in their ensemble roles I know they would have been absolute stars on the nights they took on their main roles.
However on Saturday Evening I had the privilege of watching a very talented Lucy as Anna and she lit up the whole stage from her endless energy to lovely clear vocals and she had this knack of doing the smallest things to steal a scene - notably when jostling for a position in the Coronation. Lucy, you have a real talent there and your on-stage connection with Holly as Elsa was effortless.
Holly Wake played the role of the elder sister Elsa and smashed it out of the park, a very grand and regal display showing off her vulnerable side when required. Your stage presence is dazzling and your performance of the most well known number Let It Go was brilliant, managing the light and shade of the number towards the rousing finale and a slick quick costume change mid-number (well done costume team). I've now seen you in a number of shows and you keep on getting better so a huge well done.
Despite all of these amazing solo performances what made this show such a success was the togetherness. Everyone on that stage worked together, mastered the tricky yet effective choreography partnering up throughout and it just looked like you were all having so much fun.
After a rousing finale and well deserved standing ovations it was great to see you all acknowledge all of the hard work behind the scenes and dragging Holly onto the stage to thank her.
To quote Olaf… “Some people are worth melting for” and I think every single member of that cast would melt for Holly and all of her helpers so a huge well done.
The hands on Cogsworth’s clock are ticking as we wait in eagerness for next year's production of Beauty and the Beast and based on the talent shown on stage it is going to be another stunning production
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