Frozen Jr

As the nights close in and the weather gets colder, it seemed appropriate to join the young actors of Top Box’s Stratford-upon-Avon company on a trip to Arendelle for Frozen Jr.  Top Box had two largely separate casts for different performances, with Team Ice on duty for my visit.  Whilst I therefore didn’t get to see them, I’m sure that Team Snow kept up the high standards of their counterparts!

Frozen, of course, tells the tale of sisters Elsa and Anna, separated at a young age after Elsa proves unable to contain her magical powers to create ice and snow.  Later, as Elsa is inheriting the throne, when Anna seeks her blessing to marry the gallant Prince Hans, Elsa accidentally unleashes her powers before the Court and flees to the mountains.  Anna, accompanied by a ragtag band of friends including an ice-seller, his reindeer companion, and a snowman come to life, sets off to find her sister and rescue the Kingdom from eternal winter. 

The show got off to a great start, as we were introduced to the young versions of Elsa and Anna, played by Sophie B and Lila-Rose B in a pair of confident, sparkly performances, which really set the standard for their fellow actors to follow.  Charlotte C and Sienna H kept things up very well as the ‘middle’ Elsa and Anna, before Ilana M-S and Mazie-May J took over as the ‘grown up’ versions of the characters.  These were two more good performances, with the contrasting personalities of Elsa and Anna being well revealed and portrayed. The song ‘A Little Bit of You’ was threaded neatly through the story of the various Elsas and Annas as they grew up, and ‘Do You Want to Build A Snowman’ was charmingly performed by the youngest versions. 

On, then to Elsa’s coronation day, when Anna was swept off her feet by the visiting Prince Hans (Elliott M).  Their song ‘Love is Open Door’ – a tricky duet – was really well performed by both actors, well done to them.  We also met ice-seller Kristoff (Corbyn G-T) and his companion Sven (Liv B), who formed a great, fun double act, with a nice line in sarcastic asides.  A word too for Faith G-W as Wesselton, forever having to remind people how to pronounce their name!  Last to appear of the principal cast was Olaf, the snowman, a lively showing from Holly H, who was full of smiles as she led the cast through the first act closer ‘In Summer’.  The ensemble really came into their own in this number, full of energy and fun in their sunglasses and summer outfits.

The second half opened with the entertaining singalong ‘Hygge’ led by Oaken (Jessica L) and family, a very jolly song well performed by the whole cast – the smiles on their faces as they sang and danced said it all!  Meanwhile, alone in her palace of ice and snow, Elsa sang one of the most well-known Disney songs of recent years in ‘Let it Go’.  Ilana did a great job with it, starting seated in a sleigh shaped throne, before standing to let rip on the famous chorus, with a little help from the ensemble (not that I think she needed it!)  Well done to her – the loud applause from the audience was well deserved.

Helped by the advice of the Hidden Folk, Pabbie and Bulda (Aidan D and Hollie C).  Elsa and Anna were re-united only to have their happiness scuppered by Prince Hans attempting to steal the Kingdom for himself.  Elliott was nicely nasty as Hans revealed his true character, making his comeuppance at the end very satisfying.  The show finished with a smashing finale featuring the whole cast, complete with a charming little flurry of snow at the end! 

The show was well staged, with a selection of nice backdrops to support the action.  I thought the separate door downstage, separating the young version of Anna from young Elsa, who remained isolated upstage, worked really well to highlight their predicament.  There was a set of steps centre stage that was used occasionally, for example during Kristoff and Sven’s first appearance.  However, the very high handrails did occasionally obscure the view of performers further up stage, which was a little unfortunate.  There were some very nice costumes on show as well – no mean feat with such a large cast to deal with! 

My congratulations to directors Tracy Anne Wright and Georgie Pearce, and the whole Top Box Stratford-upon-Avon team.  I have seen Frozen Jr quite a few times now, and this version was absolutely up there with the best of them.  Well done, and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2026!

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