The West End premiere of Frozen, originally set to open April 14, officially opened September 8 at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane and has received generally favorable reviews from stage critics. The musical, based on the 2013 animated Disney film, is a slightly revised version of the 2018 Broadway adaptation. The creative team includes Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (score), Jennifer Lee (book), Michael Grandage (direction), Rob Ashford (choreography), Christopher Oram (sets, costumes), Neil Austin (lights), Peter Hylenski (sound), Finn Ross (video), Jeremy Chernick (special effects), Michael Curry (puppets), and Stephen Oremus (arrangements).
The production stars Samantha Barks (Elsa), Stephanie McKeon (Anna), Obioma Ugoala (Kristoff), Craig Gallivan (Olaf), Oliver Ormson (Hans), and Richard Frame (Weselton), with Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall alternating as Sven. Minaii.K, Sasha Watson-Lobo, Freya Scott, and Tilly-Raye Bayer are the Young Elsas, while Kanon Narumi, Asanda Masike, Ellie Shenker, and Summer Betson are the Young Annas.
Evening Standard (Nick Curtis): Fans of the hit 2013 Disney film will doubtless love it, but this musical stage adaptation of Frozen left me cold. On the plus side it’s full of dazzle and wit, with powerhouse central performances. … And despite several new songs, Michael Grandage’s production strives to emulate the film without adding substantial theatrical oomph. … Let it go? I probably could. At least it goes at a cracking pace. … I imagine Disney wouldn’t allow much deviation from the winning film formula. Which may be why this stage version feels lukewarm. 3 out of 5 stars
The Guardian (Arifa Akbar): A mega-successful animation does not always translate into a stage hit. … Does this adaptation live up to that hefty legacy? Yes, and perhaps it even exceeds it. This is a show every bit as magical as the animation … with some charming inventions and a few new songs. … The messages at this story’s core may be typically saccharine Disney ones — that it is vital to embrace your own magic and that love can thaw the coldest of hearts — but they are nevertheless true and important for the army of young Elsas and Annas out there. 5 out of 5 stars
iNews (Sam Marlowe): There’s no doubting the might of the 2013 blockbuster animated Disney film — but can this 2018 Broadway musical ever match it for charm or fairytale magic? Michael Grandage’s production tries too hard to do just that. … When the show cuts loose from the original, it sparks into life … yet there’s an awful lot of uninspired marching about, dramatic intensity trickling away as the musical’s mechanics grind reliably towards its sunlit happy ending. Not everyone’s heart will melt, but legions of little fans are unlikely to find fault. 3 stars out of 5
London Theatre (Suzy Evans): Frozen seems to have found its ideal home in the West End, where it deserves to stay for many years to come. … The entire affair is much bigger than its initial Broadway outing … with the addition of new set pieces, songs, and, of course, magic. … The new music particularly benefits Elsa … and really levels up the storytelling. … After what feels like a veritable ice storm of a year (or two) … it’s nice to remember that the gates will open, the sun will shine on, and we’ll stand in the light of day again. 5 out of 5 stars
London Theatre 1 (Chris Omaweng): While the film is done and dusted in 102 minutes, the stage musical takes considerably longer to tell the same story. I’m not convinced all the padding that goes on is strictly necessary. Still, expectations are high, and the production must, I suppose, do its best to give its audiences the best possible return on their investment. … There are some icy patches, so to speak, but for the most part, this is a decent and wholesome experience. 4 out of 5 stars
Time Out London (Andrzej Lukowski): Grandage’s musical version of Disney’s animated enormo-smash is almost identical to the film in terms of plot beats. … But adults will note that it’s more serious, sadder and wiser. … It’s a more satisfying arc, and the largely melancholic or narrative-centric new songs … further deepen the sisters’ relationship. … This isn’t Frozen for adults … but it’s a thoughtful, attractive and human spin. … If the film is a pre-school classic, the musical is maybe a couple of years more grown-up. But its most magical moments will wow every age group. 4 out of 5 stars