Frozen JR

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Director Lucy Weaver and Membership Secretary Cheryl French and I had the opportunity to discuss the performance afterwards with Lucy and several of the production team. The large cast of about 30 were all aged up to eighteen years.

The attractive scenery consisted mainly of three dimensional moveable cubes with side screens and the frosty and frozen scene was spectacular. A moveable and illuminated door created a sense of division and excellent use was made of an interactive white board and video at the back of the stage. A small number of props were used, including dry ice and all scene changes were efficient and barely discernible. Flares were used at times to add to the atmosphere. Clever use of coloured lighting enhanced the effect and sound levels were good with all the cast being heard clearly.

The costumes, sourced and in some cases made by Cheryl French were all very attractive and character relevant. I particularly liked the outfits worn by the snowflakes and the dancers.

Choreography by Phoebe Wiggett was innovative and varied and took account of the different ability levels in the cast. I really enjoyed the tapping. Well done !

Music was to backing tracks and vocals were directed by Musical Director Gabrielle Tyler. Songs were well delivered and kept in time with the tracks. Well done Gabrielle for all the coaching and direction given to the cast.

The young cast had obviously rehearsed really hard and there was plenty for the ensemble to do including townspeople, Hidden Folk and Snowflakes.

After the opening with the full company Young Anna and Young Elsa (Yasmin Saib and Lillia Weaver) sang A Little Bit Of You very sweetly and sensitively. They also sang Do You Want To Build A Snowman, cleverly using the door as a prop. Well acted girls! Their parents, King Agnarr and Queen Iduna were played in a rather stately manner by Erin Partridge and Holly Hewer respectively, backed by The Hidden Folk.

Middle Anna (Lottie Foster) and Middle Elsa (Annabelle Lockett) played their roles well as did the oldest Anna (Ruby Cowley) and oldest Elsa (Rosie Warren-Davis).

Rosie did really well with her solo of Let It Go in Act two.

I enjoyed the role of Kristoff, played by Zac Higgleton. He was the hard working ice harvester who became Anna’s companion on her journey. Zac acted this well giving the impression of being strong and adventurous. He was accompanied by a young reindeer Sven, ably acted by Giovanni Alldred and Eliza Cole had a delightful part as Olaf the magical talking snowman and she clearly enjoyed this role.

Villain of the piece was Prince Hans who, despite his charming manner was really scheming and plotting. A good role for Austin Wainford. A small but important part was played by George Baird, as Weselton, a neighbouring Duke and George was confident in this role.

Two trolls in the woods with the Hidden Folk were Pabbie and Bulda, played by Edie Joshua and Lexie Grint and Felicity Ransley was Oaken a merchant who owned the trading post. Felicity also took the small part of the Bishop presiding over the coronation of Elsa.

Congratulations to Director Lucy Weaver for her imagination and inspiration in staging this popular musical. The audience certainly loved it.

Congratulations to everyone involved in any way.

 

 

 

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