It’s always a pleasure to visit the Theatre Royal. From outside it doesn’t look that impressive- indeed the Romanesque columns look plonked there as an afterthought, like ‘How can we make it look more ‘royal’’. Saying that, once you step inside, the décor and artwork takes your breath away, it’s oh so pretty. We are here for Frozen – the stage adaptation of Disney’s 2013 blockbuster. Kids or not, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 10 years, you must have an inkling of this much-loved story.
Much to my daughter’s amusement and my personal joy, I wasn’t the only adult ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the right moments let alone singing ‘Let it go’ and ‘Do you wanna build a snowman’ badly and with great enthusiasm.
True to Disney form, Frozen begins amid a blaze of multicultural song and dance. It’s the tale of two princesses, estranged for years because the elder, Elsa (Samantha Barks) has these dangerous magical freezy powers that almost killed the younger, Anna (Stephanie McKeon) as a child. The two are kept apart until Elsa is crowned Queen. Unable to control her power, Elsa accidentally freezes the kingdom and runs away. Anna teams up with Kristoff (Obioma Ugoala), a mountaineer and his sidekick reindeer (and what a fabulous reindeer he is) to find Elsa and save the kingdom. Olaf (Craig Gallivan) the snowman accompanies them on their epic journey full of magic, trolls and dancing naked villagers (oi oi).
I’ve heard people say, glassy-eyed, that you’re never too old for Disney and after watching this I’m inclined to agree. Amazing sets, superb performances from all and the special effects were… actually really quite special! Much to my daughter’s amusement and my personal joy, I wasn’t the only adult ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the right moments let alone singing ‘Let it go’ and ‘Do you wanna build a snowman’ badly and with great enthusiasm.
If you have a little (or a big) Frozen fan at home, take them along, they will love it, I promise. Get booking now for a truly magical experience – Disney is back, baby!
All the cast were great but receiving a special Afridiziak shout out today is the unbelievably cute Asanda Abbie Masike who plays Young Anna. This tiny South African powerhouse is sure to be a future superstar, her voice and comedic timing is incredible.
If you have a little (or a big) Frozen fan at home, take them along, they will love it, I promise. In fact a couple of tickets might make a great Christmas treat – get booking now for a truly magical experience. Disney is back, baby!
