Frozen at Theatre Royal: 'It’s snow joke, this is theatre at its most enchanting' | Review
The leaves may be changing and the nights are drawing in as Autumn tightens its grip, but I wasn’t expecting snow.
Disney’s, Frozen the West End Musical, drifted its way to Theatre Royal Portsmouth in spectacular fashion.
Frozen is Portsmouth Theatres’ first self-produced show for Theatre Royal and it was a complete sell out before it had even opened. With dazzling costumes, a spectacular set and enough magic to thaw even the coldest of hearts, it’s easy to see why.
Portsmouth Theatres have endeavoured to cultivate the best possible environment for local performers to learn and thrive. As part of that mission, Ben Irish was sledded in, all the way from the West End cast of Frozen to direct, and what a wonderful job he did.
Logan Briant and Jocelyn Savage opened the show as young Anna and Elsa, beautifully building the story with their energy and joy setting the scene for the night.
Abbie Warner was fantastic as the regal yet tortured Elsa, leading us to the interval with a spine tingling rendition of Let It Go.
Paul Clements is the perfect Kristoff. His humour and warmth play perfectly as the unlikely hero. Megan Parkes is utterly enchanting as Anna. With impeccable comedic timing, vulnerability, infectious chemistry and vocals as pure as the driven snow, she lights up the stage every time she appears making the character impossible not to fall in love with.
A truly captivating performance from an undeniable star.
Having said that, it was the appearance Olaf, performed by Callum Tickner that drew rapturous applause from the sold out auditorium as he perfectly brought the summer-loving snowman to life.
The entire ensemble deserve a round of applause, with beautiful choreography and a production that makes the snow-tipped hills of Arendelle feel wonderfully close to home.
Portsmouth Theatres’ production of Disney’s Frozen is theatrical blizzard of talent, imagination and heart.
A magical winter warmer that truly deserves its standing ovation. It’s snow joke, this is theatre at its most enchanting.