Based closely on the Disney animated film and loosely on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, Frozen the Musical is a West End spectacle.
But does the icy magic of the original translate well to the stage? The production finishes on the 8th of September, so if you want to find out book soon!
What is Frozen the Musical?
Frozen the Musical is a West End production of the Disney favourite, Frozen. It’s currently showing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.
It features Elsa and Anna – two princesses from the magical kingdom of Arendelle.
They’re best friends — until Elsa accidentally hurts her sister with her ice powers. From that day on, Elsa tries to keep her magic hidden, staying away from other people and the outside world.
When the palace gates are finally reopened for Elsa’s coronation, we follow Anna on an adventure to explore the world and help her sister, as Elsa learns to control her powers.
The production of Frozen the Musical features impressive stage design, costumes and special effects.
Ages: 6 years + (Minimum age for entry: 4 years)
Location: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Price: Tickets are available from £29.50
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes (incl. 20-minute interval)
Relaxed showings: Relaxed and accessible performances available
Where to find tickets to Frozen the Musical
You can find tickets to Frozen from £29.50 at LW Theatres:
Frozen the Musical: LW Theatres
Tickets are also sold at official ticket seller LOVETheatre:
Frozen the Musical: LOVETheatre
Review of Frozen the Musical by influencer mum Laura Andleo
Loopla created a Loopla Surprise experience with a Frozen ticket giveaway for influencer mum @laura.andleo.
Here she shares what she thought of Frozen the Musical when she went to see it with her 4 year old son, Leo.
My son and I went on a surprise day out to see Frozen the Musical. We both loved it and I would give it 10/10 as a musical production for children.
The show was a great treat for both kids and adults, and felt like a special day out for both of us. The only downside was that the tickets can be a bit pricey.
What children’s ages would you say Frozen the Musical is best for?
I’d say Frozen is best for children aged 4-7 years old but anyone over the age of 4 can enjoy the show.
What rating would you give Frozen the Musical out of 10?
I would give Frozen a rating of 10 out of 10. Everything was great.
What rating would your child give Frozen the Musical out of 10?
My child would give Frozen the musical 8 out of 10. We loved it.
Frozen the Musical pros and cons
Pros:
It was a great treat for both kids and adults.
Everything about the production was great, so our trip felt like a special day out.
Cons:
The tickets for the production are a little bit pricey.
If you want to see more from Laura Andleo her Instagram is here: @laura.andleo.
Review of Frozen the Musical by mum of three, Sophie Anderson
Loopla team member Sophie Anderson has also seen Frozen the Musical in 2022 with her three children. Here she shared her thoughts with us as well.
“I was hesitant about seeing Frozen the Musical as I had always thought of it as a show for young children. My daughter absolutely loved the movie when she was younger but stopped wanting to watch it from about 5 years old (and she is now 9).
Since she has grown out of the film, I was worried she wouldn’t enjoy the musical. However, we found that the musical was a completely different experience.
The script followed the Disney movie closely, so there were no huge deviations from the storyline to get your head around.
But it was the in-person energy that came from the stage effects and live singing from the cast that made the atmosphere infectious.
There was magical scenery, ice castles popping up on stage from nowhere, and lightning shooting across it.
There were also special effects like a surprise costume effect that we won’t spoil for readers, but that was a favourite with the kids.
When asked what their favourite part of the show was, the children said:● Costume effect
● Emotion of the show, particularly at the end
And it’s true that we forget what a great story Frozen is and how emotional it becomes at the end when all is thought to be lost.
My son, who was seven years old at the time and had never particularly enjoyed the movie, became so engrossed that he even had tears in his eyes during the saddest parts of the story.
Best for: 4 years + (I took my children, aged 5, 7, and 9).
Stand-out features: Magical scenery; special costume change effect
The kids’ favourite part: Surprise costume effects; the emotion of the show, particularly at the end.
There were only good things to say about this production, so here are some of the highlights.
Pros:
Magical scenery: An ice castle popped up on stage from nowhere, with lighting shooting across it.
Special effects: a surprise costume effect was a favourite with the kids.
Easy-to-follow: No huge deviations from the storyline to get your head around.
Emotionally engaging: My son was moved to tears towards the end of the show.
Since all age groups enjoyed Frozen the Musical (including adults), we would recommends it to anyone who is considering going with children, teenagers, or adults. It’s a first-class show on all sides.
Frozen the Musical best ticket prices
You can find tickets to Frozen from £29.50 at LW Theatres:
Frozen the Musical: LW Theatres
Tickets are also sold at official ticket seller LOVETheatre:
Frozen the Musical: LOVETheatre
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
Is Frozen the Musical different from the movie?
In short: yes. The musical gives more depth to characters like Hans.
It also features new funny moments, like the hilarious number about the Nordic idea of cosiness (Hygge).
However, the core and plot of both stories remains the same. The focus on sisterly love and believing in yourself is still as strong as ever.
And all the familiar songs that movie fans love are also included in the musical.
Is there anything to be aware of before booking Frozen the Musical?
While the tone of the musical is often light, it does also feature some more serious moments.
In the first few minutes of the story, Elsa and Anna lose their parents. This might be difficult to hear about for children who have experienced similar loss.
Fun and heartwarming scenes, like Olaf’s In Summer, help balance these emotional moments.
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
The number Hygge also includes fake nudity. It focuses on what Nordic hospitality is all about, a concept that experts have found difficult to translate. (1)
While all actors are fully clothed, the scene partly takes place in the sauna. Some parents may find this inappropriate.
Stage and costume design for Frozen the Musical
Christopher Oram is the show’s set and costume designer. He worked with Neil Austin, the lighting designer, to create a magical experience for the audience.
Costumes: how do Elsa and Anna look?
Elsa and Anna look so much like their cartoon counterparts, it’s like they stepped straight out of the movie.
Each costume is adapted for the stage with care.
Elsa’s dress sparkles, while Hans’ suit has gold detailing to help him look like a fairy-tale prince. Anna’s costume is as lively as the character herself.
Even the puppeteer controlling the life-sized Olaf puppet wears warm layers and a fuzzy hat to fit in with the magical frozen landscape.
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
Stage: does Arendelle come to life?
The set design is vivid. With detailed props and a lively backdrop, the crew have brought each location to life.
Jeremy Chernick’s special effects also help make each moment shine.
The result is an experience designed to transport the audience to Arendelle.
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
The music in Frozen the Musical
Husband and wife duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez worked on the music and lyrics together. They are also the composers of the movie’s songs.
From ‘Let it Go’ to ‘Do You Wanna Build A Snowman’, all movie tracks have been included.
Original songs for the musical help flesh out the story and characters. These new numbers blend well with the familiar classics.
Each song is easy to follow, though it might be harder to catch the lyrics in big group numbers. The visual storytelling helps first-time viewers to keep up with Anna and Elsa.
The cast of Frozen the Musical
The singers and dancers that make up the cast of Frozen the Musical are very skilled. Most have a strong background in theatre and film, so they know how to connect with the audience.
Each cast member has been selected with care to portray their character.
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
Who stars in Frozen the Musical?
Frozen the Musical stars Samantha Barks as Elsa and Laura Dawkes as Anna.
Below is a quick list of some of the other cast members:
● Jammy Kasongo as Kristoff
● Craig Gallivan as Olaf
● Oliver Ormson as Hans
● Mikayla Jade as Sven
● Elizabeth Lyons as Young Elsa
● Sanna Kurihara as Young Anna
Tickets from £29.50: Frozen the Musical
Frozen the Musical customer reviews
Before you see Frozen the Musical, it’s helpful to know how others felt about it.
TripAdvisor comments overwhelmingly rate Frozen the Musical at five stars. Critics at The Guardian and London Theatre also give it full points, calling it a ‘magical spectacle’. (2, 3, 4)
Nick Curtis at The Standard calls it ‘lukewarm’, but mentions loving Samantha Barks as Elsa. (5)
Is it worth seeing Frozen the Musical?
Frozen the Musical is worth seeing and caters to both fans of the movie and newcomers to the story.
It’s a strong adaptation that stays true to the original plot of the film, only with more depth and singing. It’s safe to say the musical still has Frozen’s emotional core.
Children who struggle with bright lights or flashing visual effects may struggle with the musical. The relaxed showing may be more inclusive to them.
Otherwise both of our reviewers, along with countless online reviewers give the show 5 stars, so we would highly recommend the show to any family thinking of going.
Where can I get tickets for Frozen the Musical in London?
Tickets are available at Love Theatre starting at £29.50. The final performance will be on the 8th of September 2024, so book now if you want to go.
Frozen the Musical: LW Theatres
Tickets are also sold at official ticket seller LOVETheatre:
Frozen the Musical: LOVETheatre
FAQs about the Frozen musical
What is the recommended age for seeing Frozen the Musical?
The official recommended age for seeing Frozen the Musical is 6+. However, children over the age of 4 are admitted.
Which seats give the best view of the stage?
The Royal Circle and Grand Circle each give great views for Frozen the Musical. Parents looking to sit close to the stage should choose seats in the stalls. (6)
How long is Frozen the Musical?
Frozen the Musical has a total runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is split into two acts and broken up by a 20-minute interval.
Do people dress up for Frozen the Musical?
Yes, lots of children dress up as their favourite characters for Frozen the Musical. This is not mandatory and anyone dressed in everyday clothes is welcome to attend.
Is Frozen the Musical enjoyable for adults?
Lots of adults enjoy Frozen the Musical, especially fans of music and family-friendly stories. The actors are very skilled and capture the hearts of adults and children alike.
References
- “Translating culture: exploring Kos/Hygge”, R. Pop and I.-A. Muresan
- “Frozen – The Musical”, TripAdvisor
- “Frozen review – stunning musical extravaganza creates its own magic”, Arifa Akbar, The Guardian
- “’Frozen’ review – a magical spectacle full of humour and heart”, Suzy Evans, London Theatre
- “Frozen the Musical review: This long-awaited West End stage version feels lukewarm”, Nick Curtis, The Standard
- “Theatre Royal Drury Lane Seating Plan”, SeatPlan
