GBL Production’s Frozen Princess is Belfast’s version of the age-old Snow Queen fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen with a heavy sprinkling of the Disney Frozen franchise interpretation of the same story thrown in for very good measure.
The sea of blue Elsas (and a few Ana’s) around me suggested that there were quite a few Frozen fans in the audience and there was an overwhelming sense of excitement as little ones eagerly waited to see the show unfold on stage.
The curtain opened from the stage’s regal purple lighting to reveal a glittering silver palace where we met Emily and Anna Snow (Catriona McFeely and Eimear Barr), two sisters who are inseparable until a thunderous storm crashes down, shattering a mirror from which a shard lodges into Emily’s heart, cursing her. Transformed into an evil Frozen Princess, she is determined to destroy Anna’s upcoming wedding to Prince Freddie Foundered (Gavin Peden).
Like most fairy tales and their pantomime interpretations, it is a story loaded with adventure, friendship and stacks of bravery.
Tom Rowntree-Finlay and Thomas McCorry created a hilarious script. And I mean sore-tummy kinda funny, with LOADS of local quips. Valentina and her friends are still talking about it and if it keeps three 8 year olds entertained days later, it must be good! Older members of the crowd will enjoy the grown up jokes on a whole other level of comedy that fly over the heads of the little ones, thankfully!
The cast delivered the script brilliantly. Marty Maguire’s Dame character - Nanny Amanda Marry-Weather - was the star of the show for me and had us all in stiches as she tried desperately to find her own Mr Right, whilst simultaneously trying to juggle Anna’s growing list of wedding demands! She totally captivated the audience with a dazzling and hilarious performance.
Of course every Christmas panto needs some comic characters and these came in the form of Fairy Sunshine (Nicky Harley) with her rhyming ways and longing to make everything right again, and sweet Mr Frostie (Jo Donnelly) whom I think we all wanted to take home sweet home with us! There was also a surprise visit from Rudolph!
Panto regular Gavin Peden made a dashing (and puerile) prince while Barr’s Anna was tall, confident and ready to go to any lengths in her quest to save her fiancé. The pair’s duet before the interval was a real highpoint in the show.
Director Chris Robinson knows what makes a great panto and this is no exception with lots of quick changes and audience participation, plus the usual runaround the auditorium, in a Benny Hill style chase, with water pistols (so watch your blow dries mummies!) which the kids loved.
Special mention to Katie Richardson’s score which we all sang and danced along to. It was the perfect accompaniment and hit all the right notes – literally! The lyrical changes were brilliant and the closing performance of ‘We’ve Got Each Other Back for Good’ shows off Anika Graham’s talented choreography to perfection.
This is the perfect, light-hearted, family entertainment which is a whole lot of local fun.
The Frozen Princess by GBL Productions runs January