Frozen JR

Frozen JR

Book by Jennifer Lee

Music and Lyrics – Kirsten Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez

Performed by Barnstaple Young Generation

At The Venue, Barnstaple on 24th August 2024

Directed by Lauren Tithecott

Musical Director -Naliah Ruhleman

Choreographer – Freya Rugleman

My excitement at being invited to watch Frozen Jr by a company I have never seen perform before was palpable. I was met by the President of BYG, Sue Spiegelhalter, and was shown to my seat as I watched the excited audience, full of children and parents, fill up. What a joy to see a nearly full to capacity audience too, which is what this production deserved.

With an open stage and a projected Cyclorama of large medieval gates, the piped music began. With the first number of ‘Let the Sun Shine On’ we meet the youngest Anna and Elsa, who were both assured actors and with gorgeous voices singing with total confidence along with the ensemble and King and Queen. Cleverly choreographed with a central maypole and incredible harmonies from such a young cast,  this was a strong start to a performance that grew and grew. Dressed in blue dresses with gold touches, these two very young actors captivated the audience immediately as the scene changed seamlessly into the girl’s bedroom with ingeniously designed beds and a stained-glass truck hiding Pabbie and Bulda, two of the ‘Hidden Folk’. Anna and Elsa build a snowman from their toys as they sweetly sing ‘A Little bit of You’.

As I said, this production grew in many ways and of course we see the actors playing Anna and Elsa change. The two actors playing ‘middle’ Anna and ‘middle’ Elsa, again, were delightful. Both able to sing and act , working together with a real believability as sisters.  Then, through ‘Do you Want to Build a Snowman’,  we are introduced to the older Elsa and Anna.

Anna was played with an infectious likeability, excitable as she should be and with a melodic voice perfect for musical theatre. Her duet with Hans of ‘Love is an Open Door’, was cleverly acted and choreographed with both actors producing an enchanting number that the audience loved. The actor played Hans with a superior air and huge confidence.

Elsa, we all know has the iconic number in the show the audience anticipate and sometimes we forget that this is not the sum of her. Throughout, the actor playing Elsa produced those differing emotions the character feels, culminating in ‘Let it Go’ and ‘For the First Time in Forever’, with Anna. With good articulation, pitch and volume and a lovely tone this actor gave a worthy performance.

Kristoff and Sven were a great team both good actors with clear diction. The costume created for Sven, with the actor using stilts for his front legs was ingenious. As was Olaf’s costumes, created almost as a puppet, attached to the actor so he could move freely and move the puppet’s mouth as he spoke. This actor stood out due to his comic timing, exact characterisation and super singing voice. ‘Summer’ was hilarious.

Pabbie and Bulda led the Hidden Folk well in ‘Fixer Upper’, a really enjoyable number with both actors being proficient dancers plus an excitable chorus of hidden folk, singing with gusto.  I have to mention at this point that the ensemble worked tirelessly throughout, becoming servants, Hidden Folk, Elsa’s snow dancers and townsfolk and each one acting, singing and dancing with huge enthusiasm throughout.

There were some real touches of hilarity especially Oaken and his family. The actor playing Oaken was so funny, with his ‘Scandinavian style’ accent and hilarious mannerisms along with his family members who copy his affectations. The Duke of Westleton was perfectly duke-like and snobbish.

I hasten to say, throughout this production there was deft touches of creative costume design. I include, Sven’s costume and the creation of Olaf, plus the transformation of Elsa. Well done to the team behind the props and costumes. I was impressed with all of the costuming, the Anna’s in differing green dresses, Elsa’s transformation dress, the castle servants in black and red striped dressed and white aprons, the hidden folk costumes with greens and browns and ivy foliage sewn into them, Prince Hanz  in a red dress-coat, red waistcoat, white trousers, black boots and sword and the Oaken family in white tops and rose patterned skirts or lederhosen and red glitter hats.

The choreography throughout was lovely and well executed by the cast. The harmonies were exceptional for such a young cast and the director had clearly paid attention to detail with each actor’s characterisation of the part they were playing.

The use of projection worked well in a smaller stage space and gave depth to the scenes. The lighting design which included bright whites for the ice scenes and particular use of gobos for a snowflake effect on the ceiling of the auditorium and stage, complimented the production and the sound engineer(s) kept the levels of the stage mics and recorded music perfectly so every word and number could be clearly heard.

The show ran seamlessly throughout which is not possible without the wonderful chaperones working backstage to safe-guard the children, help them with changes and get them to the stage at the right time. Well done to them.

Having never seen Frozen the Musical or Frozen Jr before (I only watched the Disney animated film) I was blown away by the talent in this cast and delighted for all involved. I sat beside a seven-year-old who was having the best time, as did all of the audience. The huge applause you received said it all.

Thank you for the warm welcome I received from you all and a massive well done to you all for such an enjoyable production.

Lyn Burgoyne for Katie Jones (Noda representative, District 5, Mid and East Devon)

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