FROZEN ’ S THEATRICAL DEBUT
BRINGS ITS OWN MAGIC
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
STEPPING INTO THE SHADOWS OF A FILM FOR WHICH THE WORLD WENT CRAZY IN 2013 , CULMINATING IN NOT ONE BUT TWO OSCAR WINS , IS NO MEAN FEAT . MICHAEL GANDAGE ’ S THEATRICAL ADAPTATION OF FROZEN HOWEVER , NOT ONLY RIGHTFULLY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT LONDON ’ S THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE BUT FIRMLY STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE LIMELIGHT .
© Johan Persson / Disney
SAMANTHA BARKS AS ELSA
Estranged sisters , one of whom has unharnessed supernatural powers , that live in an icy kingdom , all underpinned by the magic that musicals done well naturally brings , was always going to be a smash-hit film – but blockbuster animations do not automatically translate to brilliance on stage . This particular adaptation smashes it out of the park and is packed with incredible thrills , beautiful choreography and of course , those ballads that ring even more gorgeous and become even more powerful when sung live .
Although the show begins as an almost carbon copy of the film , complete with young Anna nostalgically singing ‘ Do You Want to Build a Snowman ?’ outside her sister , Elsa ’ s bedroom door , it soon takes on an updated and fresh identity . New songs have been added to allow for scene and costume changes including a comedic number satirising the Nordic practice of hygge , Olaf ( a life-size replica puppet of the animated character controlled by the very talented Craig Gallivan ) rightfully steals the show , and there is an authentic and moving beating heart in the relationship between the two tortured sisters .
Samantha Barks as Elsa is an inspired casting decision ; naturally , she has a phenomenal voice – taking on the show ’ s most significant song , Let It Go , is no mean feat – but she also brings a far more emotionally expressive Elsa to proceedings , speaking openly about the darker side of the magic within her . The moment she sheds her former identity as a loner locked away to prevent the powers within her from being released and changes both attitude and costume to embrace the shimmering ice queen within her and take control of her own destiny is truly spectacular and conveys a level of emotional drama that makes you audibly gasp .
The entire cast is nothing short of stellar : Stephanie McKeon ’ s Anna is bold and kooky , her perfectly matched sidekick , Kristoff , played by Obioma Ugoala , is all at once blundering and steady , and Oliver Ormson ’ s Hans is suitably shady , but it ’ s the visual effects and set design that truly transport you to the fictional kingdom of Arendelle . The transformational scenes are huge and blinding , played out in a sparkling , crackling display of colour , light and sound , and the perpetual swirl of the Northern
Lights set against a dreamy sky and a network of enchanting snowflakes comes at you in breathtaking layers that somehow carry as much emotion as the storyline .
A Disney classic reimagined , on stage , Frozen is a masterpiece with darkness at its core but that authentically explores the themes of empowerment , self-acceptance and adventure without ever relying on the simplified , saccharine idea of good versus bad . True to the film , what it says essentially is that whomever you are and whatever form it may take , it is vital to embrace one ’ s own magic , and that love can thaw even the coldest of hearts ; a message that both adults and children can continually learn from . Bravo .
Frozen is currently on at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane , Covent Garden , London .
lwtheatres . co . uk / whats-on / frozen-musical .
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