Musical Theatre / Disney’s Frozen, The Broadway Musical, Free-Rain Theatre Company. At The Q, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until October 11. Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS

In a dazzling production confidently directed and choreographed by James Tolhurst-Close with musical direction by Callum Tolhurst-Close, Free-Rain Theatre Company has managed to capture the magic of the Disney musical Frozen, The Broadway Musical.

Can there exist a little girl who doesn’t already know the story of princess sisters Elsa and Anna? Elsa, played by Charlotte Morphett, has a magical power to create snow and ice but doesn’t how to control it. After inadvertently causing her kingdom to become frozen, Elsa flees. Her loyal and adventuress sister Anna, winningly performed by Chloe Stevenson, almost dies in her quest to find her sister.

Before both find the necessary true love to save the day, they share many spectacularly staged adventures, most of which involve much singing and dancing, even a sauna enthusiastically presided over by Cameron Taylor in a scene-stealing turn as Oaken.

Among the many zany characters met along the way, are an amiable snowman, Olaf, played by Joe Dinn, and a lovable reindeer called Sven, remarkably brought to life by Graeme Fennamore.

Joshua Kirk is Prince Hans, handsome on the outside, not so much on the inside. Jackson Gibbs plays ice harvester Kristoff, who’s also the owner of Sven, the reindeer, while Jake Fraser offers an eye-catching turn as Duke of Weselton. There’s also a colony of exotic hidden folk led by Pabbie (Sam Thomson) and Bulda (Katie Lis).

Hanna Smith and Ned Swann bring the required elegance to their roles as the parents of Anna and Elsa, Queen Iduna and King Agnarr, while on opening night, Mele Tuli and Zara Zulkapli charmed as the young siblings, roles they share with Millicent Fitzgerald and Meadow Kuske at other performances.

The many musical numbers are masterfully staged by James Tolhurst-Close, whose use of beautifully choreographed ensemble dances behind the duets and feature singers, add additional spectacle to the already stunning video visuals, Fiona Leach’s lavish costuming, Jono Gerdes spectacular lighting design, and the towering settings created by John Nicholls and Ethan Henderson.

Full marks to all concerned for nailing the crucial quick-change during the “Let it Go” sequence which drew spontaneous cheers from the first night audience.

This is a huge production for which every element is delivered at an impressive level. The realisation of the design concepts, the performances, the excellent singing from the principals and ensemble, enhanced by a superb orchestra conducted by Callum Tolhurst-Close, together with the army of unseen back-stage workers under the stage management of Cameron Walter, has resulted in another memorable production from Anne Somes’ Free-Rain Theatre Company.

The season runs until October 11. It’s bound to sell-out so get your tickets while there’s some still available.

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