Frozen - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Just booked a last minute ticket to go this evening. Really looking forward to it!

Could be as the upper levels now curve around much more. The dress circle slips looked like they had a good view.

Enough about you having a drink in The Garden beforehand, what about in the actual show? 🤣

I had a great time seeing this today! I’ve always loved this theatre but it really is even more beautiful now.

The audience was generally well behaved though I wouldn’t say there was ever a point where the audience was totally quiet. There were a lot of kids in as expected and with that comes a bit of noise. But never enough to fully distract from the show and it was great to see all the kids enjoying themselves.

I thought the show itself was fantastic. Incredible vocals. Some really beautiful staging and choreography. Really great use of projections. The cast as a whole was great but of course Stephanie McKeon and Samantha Barks were just brilliant!

And Hygge was…..something. Was not quite expecting that!!!

Will the show get nominated for any Olivier do you think?

I would think certainly for some of the technical awards like lighting and costumes.
It's going to be a tough year as it will be up against Anything Goes, BTTF, Cabaret and Moulin Rouge. We don't know what the latter 2 have in store yet.

Released an Elaine Paige?!

Is that a fierce look when someone mutters the name Pattie LuPone 🤣🤣🤣

Is the Orchestration (i.e No. of musicians in the pit) any different from Broadway?

my curiosity peaked by all the reports of the technical trickery of the stage show, I finally watched the animated film tonight, (and I'm an animator hanging my head in shame at never having seen it). Now I want to see how Grandage and his team have tackled many of the scenes, the trolls, the huge snowman and such quick back and forth narrative transitions

Since my opinion was asked for, I'll give my thoughts on the show.

The invited dress I mentioned in my earlier post was for Disney employees (we're based in head office and nothing to do with the theatre division so it was an unusual but nice perk). We had the option to get either Lion King tickets or Frozen. There was the usual frenzy for tickets as with any release, constant refreshing. I opted for Lion King as I'd already purchased tickets to the first preview of Frozen some time ago, unfortunately Lion King was postponed so I'm now going on Thursday.

I managed to speak to my colleague who'd attended the invited performance on a brief trip to the office, who really enjoyed the show as her first trip back to the theatre post covid.

For background, I saw the Broadway Production in May 2018 so have a dim recollection.

Spoilers ahead!

I understand that there have been a number of changes since I saw it on Broadway, including new songs. I can't speak to specifics without pulling out both programs to compare which I will do at some point, but overall I felt the show flowed much better, and there didn't really feel like any filler to me (other than Hygge).

Both the young actors were great, young Anna's character is one of the highlights of the show with how hyper she is, and young Elsa handled the contrasts within her part, of carefree play, followed by fear very well. There was a slight eyebrow raise when Elsa changed race during puberty, but hey it's a funny time for everyone with their bodies changing and was soon forgotten.

Reading the program there is a mention of Elsa's ice castle and why there was no staircase on Broadway, the excuse being that the stage wasn't deep enough. In this production we are treated to a lovely grand staircase sitting at the back of the stage (as per the cast bows photos). We don't get to see it emerge from the stage a la pride rock or anything, but it definitely makes the stage seem much more complete.

The real grand spectacle of the set is the ice bridge. As previous posters have noted it seems to go on and on forever to the point that it seems impossible for such a hefty piece of set to fit anywhere in the wings!

One thing I still wish they would change is the nudity in Hygge. That is really the only let down for me. I was on the edge of my seat when they were in towels, unable to remember if this was the same as Broadway, building to the nudity, or if they had gained some modesty, but unfortunately it was the former. I will never not cringe at the nude suits and branch slapping, in fact I think I might have blacked out for a bit. It's so cringey and unnecessary. Why couldn't we have a toweled kick line?!

I've never been to a preview before but honestly it felt like any other performance. Polished to perfection and the leads fit their roles perfectly. The only slight technical hitch- if it wasn't deliberate, I can't remember from Broadway- is the toy Olaf they make at the beginning's top half fell over, but Anna quickly righted him.

The highlight for me is the dress change. I could watch it all day and I'd love to watch it in slow-mo! I will definitely be making a return visit at some point. I have to at least go back to the shop to buy my souvenir brochure as unfortunately they weren't ready yet.

More thoughts when I've compared the programs.

Are tickets available via Disney day seats?

I don’t suppose anyone knows how the view is from the Grand Circle Slips?