Largs Youth Theatre: Frozen show review and pictures

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Oh, how my little grand-daughters enjoyed it when the snow fell on them - "it was cool" - in May, and that was under cover.

If you were in the front row, as we were, of one of the four performances of Frozen JR, staged by the enterprising Largs Youth Theatre, one of the special effects was the falling snow during the classic show.

The fact that it happened alongside cinematic background graphics on a specially created stage within a large marquee at Kelburn Country Centre was even more ingenious.

Elsa and Anna in LYT's production of Frozen (Image: Drew Cochrane)

That's enough of a preamble because this review has to embrace around 75 youngsters (so, I lost count), aged from 4 to 18, who were the cumulative cast of the much-loved Disney creation of Frozen, featuring sisters Elsa and Anna and bringing the magical land of Arendelle to life.

There was literally so much talent crammed into the proceedings (imagine the rehearsals required) that it is almost impossible to know where to begin in picking out actors so, parents and guardians, forgive any omissions.

From the opening scene of eleven on stage - including the great acting voice of Thomas Sewell as King Agnaar - to the finale featuring waves of weans from tiny to towering shapes it skated along.

Not only did we have the exquisite voices of the 'grown up' Elsa (Martha Hill) and Anna (Leah Houston) but we had to factor in the equally talented 'teen' versions of Wren Muir and Jacquelyn Teaz with, wait for it, Young Anna (Grace Craigmile) and Young Elsa (Morgan Bryson-Meehan) starting off the double act.

Congratulations to musical director, Sofia Kherroubi Garcia, for the quality of singing from the lead actors and the chorus numbers. Zac Lewis as Pabbie and Matilda Gibb as Bulda led a particularly bouncy song and dance routine.

Derren Milligan as the villainous Prince Hans proved himself to be a serious actor but got the biggest laugh from the family audiences when Elsa stood on his foot and he ran off, crying "Mummy!"

The Elsas and Annas were all excellent but we saw a lot of star turns. The acting of Olaf (Maya Bryson-Meehan) and Oaken (Cameron Barker) was top notch while brother Theo Barker (The Duke) exuded real comedic talent. The ever impressive Cormac Cameron-Finn strutted the stage a Kristoff with his "funky looking donkey" - reindeer actually - in the capable hooves of Liam McGrath.

A special mention to Elena Eardley, a delightful dancer, as the principals belted out the now classic "Let It Go."

What a way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of LYT inspired by senior tutor and director Laura Edison, assisted by Daisy Wilson who orchestrated the choreography.  Fitting too that in coronation month we had the Disney wedding and surely an added touch was Elsa proclaiming that she wasn't the heir, she was the spare! And, yes, the snow didn't bother us anyway.

Other principals were Kate Shelley (Queen), Sol Henderson (Butler), Sofia Hussain and Tara Lin Moran (Housekeepers) with Villagers: Kate McCalman, Erin Connick, Mia Hendry, Cooper Smith.

Snow Ensemble - Rosanna McKane, Abigail Gibson, Mairi McLean, Marcia Shelley, Molly Anderson, Rebecca Anderson, Eleni Lobjoie, Gemma Redden, Rebecca Wood, Nuala Cameron-Finn, Emma MacDougall, Carly Greenhorn, Maisy Shepherd, Isla Sharp, Dharma Mack, Ollie Barker, Harris Park, Aiden Alderson, Henry Dimelow-Smith, Cole Rankin.

Oaken's Family - Bella Edison, Darcie Edison, Evelina Spitoni, Jacob Hussain, Florence Shelley, Aiden Alcock, Alexander Livingston, Vashti Rice.  Olaf's Ensemble - Rubie Mackie, Ava Stokes, Lacey Dailly, Amber Boyce, Catriona Joiffe, Carla Blair, Gabrielle Hendry, Ailidh Rodger, Abbey Rodger, Aiden Lamont and Alexander Craigmile.