Review: Frozen Jr at Influencers Theatre

If you are unfamiliar with the premise of Frozen, then perhaps you have been living under a rock for the last 10 years. Let me help you…

Frozen is a musical with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee, based on the 2013 film of the same name, which in turn was based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy-tale, The Snow Queen.

Frozen Jr is a 60-minute adaptation of the full-length musical, centering on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and Anna.

Elsa has magical powers to freeze objects and people, which she does not know how to control. After inheriting the throne, Elsa flees, inadvertently causing the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter, and nearly kills her sister. She must sacrifice and show true love to save the day.

After seeing the professional show recently, a number of times, [ahem 7], I know this is a tricky show to stage, but when the opening lighting cue draws applause from the audience, you know you are in for a treat!

While the incredible production team were planning and preparing for months, this show was only 2 weeks in the making with the cast. No small feat when the youngest were 7 and the eldest were 17!

But my goodness, was it polished and professional!

Unbelievable vision and direction by AYT alumni, Taylor Tran [who was also performing in the other AYT show, West Side Story], and Georgia Broomhall expertly staged this well-loved show with another young alumni, Alessia Charman, again also performing in West Side Story at the same time, choreographing the beautiful dance sequences throughout.

Musical direction by husband-and-wife team Serena and Louis Cann brought these young voices to life throughout the difficult score and choral moments.

The costumes and set were a sight to behold, organised and built by duo May and Tuan Tran.

Elsa’s transformation dress was seamless and exquisite, and the puppetry of Sven was almost better than the professional one!

Projections by Kristian Latella, props and the puppetry that was Olaf by Serena Cann, really captured the essence of Arendelle and the amazed faces of all in the audience was proof of how good it all was.

Lighting design by Rodney Bates was magical, especially during the snow blizzard.

The graphics and lighting transition from winter to summer was flawless and really felt like a warm hug!

This production has two casts, but alas I could only see one of them, the Winter cast.

The young Anna and Elsa’s, Reese Holt and Alyssa Faranda, were charming and bright, as were the middle Elsa and Anna, Amelia Scodella and Isabella Currie respectively.

While at times diction and accents drifted in and out, and the sound wasn’t as loud as I’d like it to be with the ensemble, the support cast were wonderful!

Aiden Salmon as Wesselton, Noah Maagourilos as Oaken were hilarious and Anais Foot and Ewan Pugh as Bulda and Pabbie were lovable and amiable.

Nicholas Latella as Kristoff and Otis Mullan as his reindeer sidekick Sven were a terrific duo and portrayed their characters beautifully through song.

Zahli Linke had the tricky task of singing, dancing, acting and puppeteering Olaf, but she did it with ease and charm.

Hans, played by Henry Tran, presented as honest and noble to begin with, was scheming and calculating by the end.

The wonderful duo ‘Love is an Open Door’, with Anna, played by the brilliant Kiara Linke, showed the chemistry and harmonies they both had.

Linke was the perfect choice for Anna – her comedic timing, delightful voice, great characterisation and nuances have me waiting with bated breath on when I’ll see her on a professional stage in this role.

Rounding out the incredible principal cast was Chloe Seabrook as the Snow Queen herself, Elsa.

Regal but misunderstood, Seabrook was commanding and steady in the difficult tracks ‘Dangerous to Dream’ and the famed ‘Let it Go’ – she presented an emotional and complex character far beyond her years.

A dazzling finale, amid masses of colour and coordinated voices, well done Adelaide Youth Theatre – your best junior show yet!

Lia Loves.