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| Emma Rix as Elsa in "Frozen" |
Music and
Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – Book by Jennifer Lee
Directed by
Michael Grandage. Choreographed by Rob
Ashford
Musical
Director – David Young. Scenic and Costume Design by Christopher Oram
Presented by
Disney Theatrical Productions.
Australian
Premiere, Capitol Theatre, Sydney, 10th December, reviewed by Bill
Stephens
The Company of "Frozen"
Just “Let
‘em Go”. “Let ‘em Go”. “Let “em Go“. Every child who’s been enchanted by
this story of sibling loyalty, will be
desperate to see this stage version, and you’ll risk breaking their heart if you
deprive them, because this production is even more enchanting, and more fun,
than the animated feature that inspired it.
As with the
film, the audience is introduced to the princess sisters as children, delightfully
portrayed on opening night by Deeana Cheong Foo (Elsa) and Chloe Delle-Vedove
(Anna), who set the tone so charmingly that their transformation into the older
Elsa (Jemma Rix) and Anna (Courtney Monsma) during “Do you want to build a
Snowman?”, becomes the first of many magical moments woven throughout this production.
Sans the green
make-up she was hidden behind in “Wicked”, Jemma Rix is superb as Elsa, born to
be queen but possessing terrifying powers she is unable to control. Appropriately
regal, she commands the stage; literally stopping the show with her powerful
rendition of “Let If Go”, the stunningly staged song everyone has come to hear,
then later in the second act furiously wielding her magical powers to rescue
Anna.
As her compulsive
younger sister Anna, newcomer Courtney Monsma captivates with a dazzling,
star-making performance, acting with flair, singing and dancing with a compelling
assurance that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her. Whether flirting
outrageously with the handsome prince, Hans (Thomas McGuane) in “Love is an
Open Door”, dueting affectingly with her sister in “I can’t Lose You”, or
arguing with the smitten Kristoff (Sean Sinclair) her endearing comedic flair
is always bubbling just beneath the surface.
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| Courtney Monsma (Anna) - Thomas McGuane (Hans) |
Of course
the handsome prince Hans is not quite what he purports to be, resulting in a revelation
that provides the impetus for a succession of spectacularly staged production
numbers, not all of which advance the storyline, but which delight the eyes and
ears.
As with all
Disney musicals it’s rarely the convoluted storylines which stamp these shows
as “must see”. Rather it’s the
opportunity they provide for lavish sets, costumes and eye-popping special
effects and in this area this production certainly doesn’t disappoint. The
costumes are gorgeous, particularly those for the ball sequence, and the
special affects genuinely magical. And of course there are the extraordinary
characters met along the way.
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| Jemma Rix (Elsa) - Matt Lee (Olaf) - Courtney Monsma (Anna) |
Among them,
Olaf, the lovable snowman, irresistibly portrayed by Matt Lee whose joyful song
“In Summer” provides a memorable highlight; the matey ice-man Kristoff (a
terrific performance by Sean Sinclair) and his loyal reindeer, Sven (Jonathan
MacMillan). There’s the merry outpost shopkeeper, Oaken (Blake Appelqvist) and
his motley bunch of sauna friends who surprise with their hilariously risky “
nude” birch-twig dance, “Hygge”, and the
diminutive Duke of Weselton (Aljin Abella) who turns remarkably unpleasant when
Elsa rejects his romantic overtures, and of course the exotic “Hidden Folk” who
try to make a match of Anna and Kristoff. They’re
all there, even more entrancing when played by real live actors giving their
all at every performance just for you.
Sean Sinclair (Kristoff) - Lochie McIntyre (Sven)
All photos by Lisa Tomasetti
This review first published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW . www.artsreview.com.au