This production had dual casts in the principal roles. In the interest of fairness, we reviewed both casts. Brian Godfrey reviewed the Icicle cast and Ben Proeve reviewed the Snowflake cast.
Icicle Cast
If you don’t know the plot of “Frozen Jr” by now, then it’s likely that you aren’t a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, elder brother or sister; or have been living under the Polar Icecap, such is the show’s popularity.
I have reviewed three different productions of “Frozen Jr” now, and while the other two were fine and faithful, this latest version by the Parks Youth Theatre sparkles and is the best rendition I have seen.
For most of her life Bec Schembri has been a dancer and/or choreographer. This production sees her taking the plunge as Director for the first time. Hopefully it won’t be her last. She knows how to cast and make sure that an audience is spellbound. This was evidenced by this reviewer when I witnessed a whole row of little tackers absolutely gob-smacked with their eyes glued to every piece of the action. You know your job has worked in children’s theatre when the intended audience just sit there entranced. Directing a show in the (almost) round is not easy, but Schembri makes use of all the theatre with entrances and exits on stage, through the audience and on the theatre’s balcony.
Choreographer Chloe Svaikauskas keeps the movement fairly simple but interesting with a variety of styles, mainly ballet and Broadway musical. The cast probably don’t realise how lucky they are to have Robyn Brookes as their vocal tutor. She knows her stuff when it comes to singing, having played many lead roles in musicals and even appearing at the moment as Lady Capulet in Northern Light Theatre Company’s “& Juliet”.
The set is bare except for two small rostra at the back. The production relying on atmospheric slides on the back scrim – very effective. The costumes by Ceri Hutton and Belinda Mentha are colourful and wonderfully appropriate: Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer’s in particular are very clever. The ‘ice cold’ gown worn by Elsa after the famous reveal in “Let It Go” is stunning and very cleverly revealed.
This production has dual casts. This reviewer saw the Icicle Cast. Let me start by saying that this cast were anything but icy – their energy and talent lit up the theatre!
Savannah Otero-Duran, a little girl with a BIG voice was soooo cute and gorgeous as Young Anna as was Evie Starr as Young Elsa. These two roles start the show, so it’s important that the people performing them capture the audience straight away – which these two little songbirds did. Talisha Johnston (Middle Anna) and Cadey Shaw (Middle Elsa) took over wonderfully with the grown up Anna and Elsa, Samantha Otero-Duran and Maddison Sanders showing us their star qualities. Samantha is the ideal Anna; sparky and effervescent with a great voice and a personality that just lights up the stage whenever she is on. Maddison complements Samantha beautifully. Her performance is top notch and vocally she is stunning – her rendition of “Let It Go” is one of the best this reviewer has heard (and believe me, I’ve heard a few).
Dylan Wilkinson made a nice Kristoff, he just needs to enjoy it more. He works well with Emma Kenyon as Sven the reindeer. Emma enunciates and articulates well. Good job! Speaking of clarity of speech, Thomas Mendes is wonderful as Weselton, giving the character a slight stoop and a little bit of petulant schoolboy attitude.
Alex Carpenter does a great job as Prince Hans. What a voice this young man has. But he just needs to speak up – even with his voice micced I had trouble hearing him (and I was in the front row).
Daisy Scarman was an hilarious Oaken and Hayley Breeze was a glorious breeze of talent and energy as everyone’s favourite Snowman, Olaf. Her enthusiasm and physicality just bounded around the stage making it a delight to watch her.
As always with youth shows there’s just too many cast to mention individually, but each and everyone was a joy to watch. I must mention one cast member however. Little Archie Butler, no taller than a grasshopper’s knee, threw everything he had into his roles as a steward and guard. His attention to detail (how he stood etc) and the concentration on his face was superb. At one stage in the show, they all need to show that they are cold – his performance was so real that I was shivering with him. Great work young man – keep it up!!
I must say that I look forward to reviewing shows by the Parks Youth Theatre. Joyousness abounds and this production is no exception.
Snowflake Cast
It is no mean feat taking on the beloved characters of Frozen, which are well-known and adored by young and old audiences alike after the success of the Disney film. However, the Snowflake cast at The Parks Youth Theatre’s production of Frozen Jr did not let that stop them from putting on an impressive performance and having a ball all the while.
It is extremely pleasing to see so many young performers who not only knew exactly what to do and where to go at every moment, but clearly had a lot of fun in the process. The smiles of the cast were returned tenfold by the excited young audience, and everywhere you looked on stage the chorus were engaged and animated, with lovely harmonies to boot. Their exuberant energy and physicality in “Fixer Upper” was a particular highlight.
Nadia Coppens delivered a standout performance as Elsa. Her vocal strength and control was evident from the first time she sung, reaching a peak during the showstopping “Let It Go”. She brought maturity, focus and emotional depth to each of her scenes – watch out Idina Menzel! She was well-contrasted by Maddy Brookes as the passionate and warm Anna, who shook off her nerves and brought out the hopelessly romantic side of her character with ease. Her duet with Alex Carpenter as Hans allowed both of their vocals to shine with excellent harmonies. Special mentions must also go to Alaska Janzen and Juliet di Niro as Young Anna and Elsa, who opened the show with wonderful stage presence and clearly enjoyed every moment of it.
Oakley Hyland as Kristoff was effortlessly charming and sung with warmth and gentleness, and had an excellent dynamic with the ever loveable Sven, confidently portrayed by Rebecca Gillard.
Carter Penley played the beloved snowman Olaf with enthusiasm and boundless energy, filling the stage with warmth and engaging directly with the young audience in “In Summer”, whose hearts he easily won.
Performers with less time in the spotlight were all still able to leave an impression on the audience: Lucas Mentha as the snivelling Weselton, Neve Crew as the caring Queen Iduna, Meri Wagland and Helena Sheridan as the kooky Pabbie and Bulda, and Taylor Shrimplin as the cheerful Oaken were each convincing and delightful in their roles.
Despite a few quiet lines that were lost behind music, the young ensemble did a fantastic job to maintain their energy and stage presence throughout.
This was a wonderful cast that truly understood that if they enjoy themselves, so too will the audience, and they deserve all the applause and compliments coming their way.
