This is a great addition to Disney+. In London’s West End, where this pro-shot recording was filmed (despite its listing as ‘The Hit Broadway Musical’, as if Broadway never had any other hit musicals before and never will again), it was quite a long evening for younger members of the audience, as it was essentially a ninety-minute movie adapted into a musical stretching to two-and-a-quarter hours (there was an interval). Add to that the travel time into central London, the need to arrive at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in good time before the show starts, and the return journey home, and the whole experience could prove exhausting for children.
The sheer convenience, it almost goes without saying, of watching it at a time of one’s own choosing, and the ability to pause the programme for the call of nature, or indeed for any other reason, makes seeing the show in this way more than a viable option. It’s not, alas, enough for me to actually subscribe to Disney+ myself, as I’m one of those people who is in a different theatre almost every evening. That said, it was good to revisit this show even after its London run had concluded, and the camera work does very well to capture the scale of the staging, which uses a combination of actual sets and video technology to create seamless spectacles. The cameras are well angled, occasionally even providing a view from the back of the stage, looking out into the audience. With the illusions and stage trickery that goes on, it was useful to be reminded that this isn’t a motion picture but a recording of a stage show.
It cannot and does not, of course, exactly replicate the theatrical experience – and that can be a good thing too. I must admit I rather enjoyed watching anything at all, let alone something of this calibre, without the usual disturbances that have been documented elsewhere relating to poor audience conduct whilst a show is in progress. I realise I am, albeit inadvertently, making the case for almost any major blockbuster musical to have a pro-shot made available on a streaming platform – and frankly, why not? Let musical theatre productions be seen by as wide an audience as is feasible.
I must also admit the sound quality is better on Disney+ than it was in Drury Lane itself, and while subtitles are also available, I didn’t need them, and found myself fully understanding lyrics I didn’t properly grasp the first time around. With the world being what it is, it’s tempting to wonder if good only still triumphs over evil these days in Disney musicals. Then again, maybe the future isn’t so bleak after all, if the next generation is to be inspired by Frozen’s message that love conquers all. It’s a hoot, and an enjoyable one at that.
Review by Chris Omaweng
When Queen Elsa’s hidden powers plunge Arendelle into an eternal winter, her sister Anna sets out to find her and save the kingdom. As the storm rages on, both sisters must learn only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. This is the story you know and love as you’ve never seen it before.
Disney’s Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical is an awe-inspiring production which brings the magic, music and spectacle of the hit movie to the stage, with thrilling surprises and astonishing special effects. Enjoy 12 new songs written especially for the musical alongside classics such as ‘For the First Time in Forever’, ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’ and ‘Let it Go’.
Elsa – Samantha Barks
Anna – Laura Dawkes
Olaf – Craig Gallivan
Kristoff – Jammy Kasongo
Hans – Oliver Ormson
Weselton – Richard Frame
Sven – Ashley Birchall, Mikayla Jade
Young Anna – Martha Bailey Vine
Young Elsa – Elizabeth Lyons
Hidden Folk Child – Tabitha Storton
Standby Young Elsa – Phoebe Penfold
Alternate Young Anna – Maddy Collings, Azalea Zona Omar Harris
Alternate Young Elsa – Wren Erskine, Aanya Shah
Pabbie – Ben Irish
Bulda – Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly
Oaken/Bishop – Jak Skelly
Queen Iduna – Jacqui Sanchez
King Agnarr – Ashley J Daniels
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Scenic and Costume Design – Christopher Oram
Lighting Design – Neil Austin
Sound Design – Peter Hylenski
Video Design – Finn Ross
Puppet Design – Michael Curry
Hair Design – David Brian Brown
Make-Up Design – Anne Ford-Coates
Special Effects Design – Jeremy Chernick
Music Supervision and Arrangements – Stephen Oremus
Conductor and Musical Director – Adam Rowe
FROZEN: THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL
On Disney+ from 20 June 2025
