Review: The Frog Prince at Victoria Hall Theatre

IF you can hold an audience of very young people completely enthralled for over an hour on a half term afternoon, then you are doing very very well.

This was a lovely version of the play with each actor putting their own stamp on their characters.

Fairy Dingle (Luna Austin) was a wonderful, endearing, engaging fairy, trying to get her wings.

Most of all, she got the children singing and up on their feet.

We were then introduced to King Dumpling (Will Jamieson) and his maid Annie (Chloe Colton). It was good to see good old fashioned slapstick still making children laugh! Well we still like the frog and pyjamas joke.

The King and Annie were a very good double act. Will had great comic timing and Chloe was suitably deadpan.

The songs came at the right time with lots of opportunities for the children (and parents) to sing along as well as a few moves.

Princess Ophelia (Reanna Austin) really commanded the stage. Another actor who was expressive, delightful and an excellent singer.

Each actor knew that at its heart, the play was about entertaining the very young audience. Making sure they had a great time.

Prince Freddie (Danny Middleton) was a hoot (or a ribbit). A very good physical actor who was charming and funny throughout.

A shout out to the three frogs as well. The use of the frogs (big and small) was very clever. It also illustrated how much the production packed in, in just over an hour.

Again, the musical numbers such as Ugly Frog Ball and Celebrate were really well sung and performed. This was a professional production, giving it everything to entertain the audience.

But even the message: it’s all about who you are, was delivered with subtly and meaning. Who couldn’t disagree?

The audience stayed on for photo-op and there was a collection for St Clare Hospice.

The Frog Prince runs until Friday.

For ticket details. See below.