• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Review: Frozen The Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

"a spectacular musical that exceeds every expectation, and brings the magic of Disney to the heart of the West End"

by Greg Stewart
September 8, 2021
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Disney's Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa Photo by Johan Persson © Disney

Disney's Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa Photo by Johan Persson © Disney

Five Star Review from Theatre WeeklyIs there a child, or indeed a parent, across the land who doesn’t recognise the unmistakable opening bars of ‘Let It Go’, from Disney’s Frozen? It would be hard to believe, and perhaps that’s why it came as such a shock that Broadway’s Frozen The Musical was the first to permanently close as a result of the pandemic.  Here in London, the production, originally slated for last year, thankfully has not been put on ice, and has opened at the beautifully refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Disney’s 53rd animated film, loosely based on The Snow Queen, is perfect for a stage adaptation.  In creating the screenplay, Jennifer Lee essentially crafted an animated musical, complete with Broadway royalty leading the cast.

Michael Grandage, who directed the original Broadway version, returns to direct in the West End.  The success of this production is largely down to Grandage’s ability to take a modern story written for children and give it the gravitas of an old classic, and still keep it feeling fresh.

       

The movie is replicated on stage with only minor alterations, Frozen The Musical was criticised from some quarters on Broadway for sticking so closely to the original version, but the adage of ‘if it ‘aint broke, don’t fix it’ couldn’t be more true; when you’re dealing with the fifth highest grossing film of all time, audiences are coming in with certain expectations.

And those expectations are duly met; all those characters that have permeated our consciousness come to life on the Drury Lane stage, even Olaf and Sven!  When Elsa accidentally and unwittingly plunges Arendelle into an eternal winter on Coronation Day – with powers she has kept hidden from everyone – she flees.  It falls to younger sister Anna to trek through a snowstorm with the aid of Kristoff and Sven, to find Elsa and undo the unfortunate spell.

You mightalso like

Duncan Leslie, Roxana Silbert, Rebecca Night, Robert Innés Hopkins, Eliane Astor, Kevin Fitzmaurice, Pippa Hill cDaniel Watson photography

Full Casting Announced for Anne Boleyn the Musical at Hever Castle

Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Disney’s Hercules Extends West End Run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Until March 2026

Frozen is pure Disney, with all the magic you would expect, and while it is a love story, it’s the fact that it is the love between two sisters that makes this production so special.  That also means two female lead roles – there is pure joy in the auditorium as we watch them share the final bow – and while Elsa gets the big, impressive numbers, it is Anna who is the real heroine of the story.

Stephanie McKeon gives a dazzling performance as the younger sister who almost sacrifices it all for Elsa; boundless energy and a deep understanding of the character makes McKeon’s Anna a masterclass in subverting the typical ‘Disney Princess’ persona.

Samantha Barks astounds the audience with every appearance, and it’s not just because of the incredible vocals.  Barks makes sure we feel the pain and isolation in parallel with the character, and by the time ‘Let It Go’ comes around, the audience are ready to see Elsa free herself from self-imposed shackles.

That sequence, which comes as the act one finale, is quite the sight to behold.  Describing it in words is near impossible, as Jeremy Chernick’s special effects are unlike anything London has seen before, and the beauty of it all is simply mesmerising.

       

While McKeon and Barks lead the cast, Obioma Ugoala as Kristoff gives an equally strong performance, interacting well with Sven; an incredible piece of puppetry operated by Ashley Birchall and Mikayla Jade.  Puppetry also allows Olaf to come to life, and Craig Gallivan gives the perfect portrayal of the loveable, naïve, but unexpectedly wise snowman.

A few of the songs were written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez specifically for the stage version, but as they are the duo also responsible for the original music, it all fits together nicely.  Audiences will of course revel in numbers like ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman’ and ‘Love Is An Open Door’ but they can also enjoy new tunes , such as ‘A Little Bit of You’ and ‘Hans of The Southern Isles’.

Frozen The Musical opens with exuberant performances from the young Elsa and Anna, and it reminds us that the film was aimed at a younger audience, and that same audience will delight in seeing their favourite characters brought to life.  For adults, who may have become a little jaded hearing the soundtrack on repeat, there is plenty to enjoy, this is a spectacular musical that exceeds every expectation, and brings the magic of Disney to the heart of the West End.

Disney s Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa Stephanie McKeon Anna Ensemble Photo by Johan Persson ©Disney
Disney s Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa Stephanie McKeon Anna Ensemble Photo by Johan Persson ©Disney
Disney s Frozen Stephanie McKeon Anna and Oliver Ormson Hans Photo by Johan Persson © Disney.jpg
Disney s Frozen Stephanie McKeon Anna and Oliver Ormson Hans Photo by Johan Persson © Disney.jpg
Disney s Frozen Stephanie McKeon Anna and Obioma Ugoala Kristoff Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Disney s Frozen Stephanie McKeon Anna and Obioma Ugoala Kristoff Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Disney s Frozen Sven and Obioma Ugoala Kristoff Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Disney s Frozen Sven and Obioma Ugoala Kristoff Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Disney s Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa and cast Photo by Johan Persson © Disney.jpg
Disney s Frozen Samantha Barks Elsa and cast Photo by Johan Persson © Disney.jpg
Disney s Frozen Craig Gallivan Olaf Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Disney s Frozen Craig Gallivan Olaf Photo by Johan Persson © Disney
Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart

Greg is an award-winning writer with a huge passion for theatre. He has appeared on stage, as well as having directed several plays in his native Scotland. Greg is the founder and editor of Theatre Weekly

Related Articles

Duncan Leslie, Roxana Silbert, Rebecca Night, Robert Innés Hopkins, Eliane Astor, Kevin Fitzmaurice, Pippa Hill cDaniel Watson photography
News

Full Casting Announced for Anne Boleyn the Musical at Hever Castle

Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
News

Disney’s Hercules Extends West End Run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Until March 2026

Some of the cast of Brigadoon images supplied by publicist
News

Brigadoon Announces Full Cast for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Revival

Little Dancer image supplied by publicist
Uncategorized

Little Dancer – A New Musical In Concert to Make UK Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Comments 13

  1. Pingback: Disney’s Frozen Partners With Central Saint Martins BA Fashion Students To Create Frozen Inspired High Fashion - Theatre Weekly
  2. Pingback: Interview: Craig Gallivan on Playing Olaf in Frozen The Musical - Theatre Weekly
  3. Pingback: Theatre Weekly’s Top Ten Shows of 2021
  4. Pingback: Disney’s Frozen extends West End Run - Theatre Weekly
  5. Pingback: Hosts, Presenters And Performances Announced For The 22nd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards - Theatre Weekly
  6. Pingback: Winners of the 22nd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards Announced - Theatre Weekly
  7. Pingback: New Frozen Cast Announced as Production Extends London Run - Theatre Weekly
  8. Pingback: First Look: Frozen The Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Rehearsal - Theatre Weekly
  9. Pingback: Tickets Back on Sale for Frozen as First Look Images Released - Theatre Weekly
  10. Pingback: How To Get Frozen London Tickets - Theatre Weekly
  11. Pingback: On Sale Dates Revealed for Frozen the Musical in the West End - Theatre Weekly
  12. Pingback: Frozen Extends West End Run to June 2023 - Theatre Weekly
  13. Pingback: Frozen Extends West End Run After Breaking Drury Lane Box Office Records - Theatre Weekly

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Troubled credit Rich Lakos

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Troubled at Summerhall (Anatomy Lecture Theatre)

Pickled Republic Ruxy Cantir Credit Andy Catlin

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Pickled Republic at Summerhall (Anatomy Lecture Theatre)

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly