Frozen: The Musical - Articles and Links (Part Two)

Four weeks ago, Frozen: The Musical, the stage adaptation of Disney's iconic 2013 film Frozen, made its Broadway debut, as previews commenced at the iconic (and newly-renovated) St. James' Theatre. This week, the much-loved story of Anna and Elsa, the royal sisters of Arendelle (played by Patti Murin and Caissie Levy), celebrates its official opening night on Broadway. This represents the culmination of a long and eventful journey- the first readings of the script took place two years ago, and there were numerous changes to the cast and crew before Frozen: The Musical was ready to be shown to theatregoers. There even have been a few substantial changes over the preview period- Elsa has recently been given an impressive new costume to wear during the climax of the production. However, it seems like all the hard work will pay off. Frozen fans have generally been full of praise for the musical, and the preview performances have already earned large amounts of money. It seems like Frozen: The Musical will be another big hit for Disney Theatrical, emulating the success previously enjoyed by their adaptations of Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Aladdin.

When the preview period began, this blog provided a post highlighting a variety of fascinating articles about Frozen: The Musical. Here, we will showcase 33 more articles about this new Broadway spectacular, including interviews with the cast and crew, information about the costumes and choreography, and exclusive revelations about the new songs created especially for this production...

(Note: This post contains spoilers, as it assumes that most of us are familiar with the story of Frozen by now. If you aren't, be careful...)

Behind the Scenes

With an estimated budget of up to $50 million, it took plenty of effort to make Frozen: The Musical into a unique and impressive spectacle. The costumes, sets, choreography and music have been edited and refined extensively during the production process, and these articles show that the team behind Frozen: The Musical are working incredibly hard in order to live up to the high standards set by the original film...

A Deep Dive Into the Costumes from Frozen on Broadway - The sets and costumes for Frozen: The Musical were designed by Christopher Oram, who has collaborated with director Michael Grandage on numerous projects over the years. In this interview with Time Out, Oram discusses how he designed the costumes of the main characters, staying true to the look and feel of the film whilst altering the clothes to meet the requirements of a stage musical where actors sing and dance in them up to eight times a week. He also reveals how he was inspired by his visits to Norway and his research into traditional Norwegian clothing...

Broadway gets 'Frozen': How A Modern Movie Classic Became a Hot New Musical - This article from USA Today provides plenty of information about Frozen: The Musical, as the Lopezes discuss the new songs added to the musical and its "Shakespearean" tone, Patti Murin and Caissie Levy explain why they love Anna and Elsa so much, and Jelani Aladdin reveals what he brings to the role of Kristoff. In addition, we learn how Murin and Levy prepare for their performances in Levy's dressing room...

Disney's Challenge: Keeping it Frozen, But Still Fresh - This article from The New York Times was published shortly before the Denver tryouts commenced, and it provided audiences with plenty of intriguing information about Frozen: The Musical . This article was the first official source to reveal some of the biggest changes made for Frozen: The Musical, such as the decision to re-imagine Kristoff's troll guardians as Scandinavian forest spirits called 'Hidden Folk' and the removal of Elsa's snow monster Marshmallow. The cast and crew also explain how much effort went into turning Frozen into a stage musical, and we get to see Caissie Levy rehearsing her take on Elsa's signature song, 'Let It Go'...

Dressed to Chill: The Costumes of ‘Frozen’ - In this interview with Newsday, Christopher Oram and Michael Grandage reveal how the costumes used in Frozen: The Musical were created, talking about the challenges posed when adapting clothing from an animated movie to a world of "gravity, physics and mic packs". However, they also reveal the advantages of using these costumes, including the ability to constantly alter them after every performance, and add the sort of details which would be impossible to include in an animated movie...

How Frozen Reimagines Its Icy World for the Broadway Stage - One of the most important selling points of Frozen: The Musical is seeing how Elsa's ice powers are brought to life on stage. This article from Vulture reveals how a wide range of equipment was used by Christopher Oram in order to convey the illusion that the young queen has accidentally created an eternal winter. The items utilised by Oram include crystal curtains, a giant bridge covered in ice, icicles sprouting from the floor, video projections, dry ice, and even dancers dressed entirely in white. There are also a couple of new photos, which show just how spectacular this production is...

Inside Disney’s Ambitious Plan To Bring Frozen To Broadway - This in-depth report from Time highlights the challenges faced by the cast and crew of Frozen: The Musical as it arrives on Broadway, where it will compete with other family-friendly productions such as Wicked and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The article provides plenty of information about the ways in which Frozen: The Musical will appeal to an older audience (around 70% of Broadway theatregoers are adults seeing a show without children) and how the production will try and maintain the feminist appeal of the source material in an era where women's issues are more prominent than ever. We also learn how Patti Murin and Caissie Levy used fanfiction to help them prepare for their roles as Anna and Elsa, and discover how much effort went into designing costumes and scenery...

What Can You Expect from Disney's "Frozen" on Broadway? We Sat Down with the Choreographic Team. - Elaborate dance sequences are one of the key features of musical theatre, but they meed to be planned and rehearsed in great detail in order to impress audiences. In this report from Dance magazine, we follow Rob Ashford, the head choreographer of Frozen: The Musical, and his assistants as they edit the choreography for the song 'Fixer Upper' in order to emphasise Anna and Kristoff's growing connection to each other. The article highlights the demanding and insecure nature of work in the choreography team, but also shows how important every single movement is when you are making a musical...

Changes Since Denver

Given the intense levels of anticipation for Frozen: The Musical, the mixed reviews for the Denver try-out were a bit of a disappointment. In the five-month period between the end of the Denver run and the beginning of previews on Broadway, around 30% of Frozen: The Musical has been altered in order to make it as impressive as possible and win over audiences. These changes were covered in more detail by a variety of media outlets.

'Frozen' Comes to Broadway with a Tighter Focus and a Timely Message - Here, the cast and crew of Frozen: The Musical tell The Hollywood Reporter about the need to explore Elsa and Anna's emotional turmoil in greater detail, whilst also preventing the production from getting too dark. Michael Grandage reveals that he has responded to criticism of the Denver try-outs by adding a lighter opening, whilst Patti Murin confirms that Anna and Elsa have been given more time together...

How Broadway's 'Frozen' Will Surprise Movie Fans - In this article from Variety, Michael Grandage discusses some of the new scenes created for Frozen: The Musical and outlines a few interesting changes made since the Denver tryouts. A narration provided by Pabbie (head of the 'Hidden Folk') has been cut, more scenes with Anna and Elsa have been added, and (this is the most exciting change of all) the conclusion has been altered to include a reprise of an iconic song from the original film...

Will ‘Frozen’ Succeed on Broadway with a British director and a Different Ending? - In this article from The Washington Post, Michael Grandage discusses the challenges faced when directing a mega -musical like Frozen: The Musical, explaining how he chose to depict characters such as Olaf the snowman. He also reveals how the feedback for Frozen: The Musical in Denver influenced him whilst preparing for the arrival of the show on Broadway...

Reactions to the Previews

Although reporters and critics are unable to publish reviews of Frozen: The Musical until opening night, the start of the preview period is still an incredibly significant event worth mentioning in the media. As a result, several prominent newspapers provided articles commemorating the first performances on Broadway, and commenting on the Frozen fans who were the first people to see Frozen: The Musical at the St James' Theatre...

Disney's Frozen musical opens on Broadway: 'More nudity than expected' - The day after previews officially began, The Guardian provided a report on the reactions of the audience. Viewers of all ages were present at the first performance of Frozen: The Musical on Broadway, and they seemed to be full of praise. The title of this article refers to the fake nudity which occurs during the new musical number 'Hygge', which is sung by flamboyant salesman/sauna owner Oaken and a chorus of sauna users. Unsurprisingly, this sequence has generated quite a bit of debate amongst theatregoers...

'Frozen' has its First Performance on Broadway, and the Fan Frenzy Begins - Here, The LA Times highlight the excitement of audiences at the first preview performance of Frozen: The Musical, their passion for Anna, Elsa and friends, and their enthusiastic reaction when watching the production for the first time. They also provide photos of fans (and a few key members of the crew) waiting to enter the St James' Theatre and watch the show...

Frozen: The Musical First Look: Elsa and Anna's Surprisingly Risque Broadway Debut is a Hit with Adults - Like the Guardian article, this report from The Daily Telegraph highlights some of the racier aspects of Frozen: The Musical, including several "kissing scenes" and the "Hygge" sequence. It also features interviews with audience members, who generally provided positive reviews (although some expressed criticisms and doubts) and ends by speculating that its only a matter of time before Frozen: The Musical debuts in London's West End...

Frozen: the Musical Opens on Broadway – but Will Audiences Warm To It? - Here, The Daily Telegraph comment on the popularity of Frozen and its accompanying merchandise, whilst Michael Grandage provides some information about the development of Frozen: The Musical and the changes made since the Denver try-outs. Like most of the other articles unveiled the morning after the previews began, this report also highlights the numerous positive comments provided by the Frozen fandom...

Inside the 'Frozen' Dress Rehearsal: Broadway's New Musical Prepares to Lift the Curtain - This article from the LA Times chronicles the 'Gypsy Run' - a special dress rehearsal for Frozen: The Musical attended by numerous key Broadway figures. Jennifer Lee, who wrote and co-directed the original Frozen and has written the book for Frozen: The Musical, praises the actors and discusses the importance of a live audience, whilst the actor Alfred Molina (Jennifer Lee's boyfriend and one of the guests at the 'Gypsy Run') gets to provide his opinions on the production. This rehearsal took place just two days before previews began, but Jennifer Lee and the rest of the Frozen: The Musical team were still making changes to the opening number...

The Cast

Media coverage of Frozen: The Musical have unsurprisingly focused on Patti Murin and Caissie Levy, the actresses who play Anna and Elsa. There has been considerable interest in the reasons why they love playing Frozen's two iconic protagonists, and numerous reports have highlighted their unique bond. However, other cast members, such as Jelani Alladin and Greg Hildreth, have also revealed what its like to have a lead role in such a prominent musical...

Bow Down to the ‘Frozen’ Stars Ruling Broadway - In this article from The New York Post, Caissie Levy and Patti Murin explain their contrasting backgrounds and growing friendship, and also reveal why they don't like it when people refer to Elsa and Anna as 'Princesses'. In addition, Levy gets to talk about some of the elaborate costumes which Elsa gets to wear during Frozen: The Musical, including an all-new second-act outfit (complete with boots and trousers) to make Elsa seem more bold and assertive as she prepares to fix the damage her actions have caused...

‘Frozen’ on Broadway Made Them Sisters. Heartbreak Made Them Friends. - This report from the New York Times focuses on the friendship between Caissie Levy and Patti Murin, as they discuss their interests and explain why they relate to Elsa and Anna so much. More tragically, the two actresses reveal their experiences coping with miscarriages, and we find out how Murin's loss of a child has influenced her portrayal of Anna's search for a proper family....

Meet the Guy Behind Olaf in Broadway’s ‘Frozen’ - In Frozen: The Musical, Anna's snowman sidekick Olaf - one of the most memorable characters from the original movie - has been re-imagined as a full-bodied puppet being controlled by actor Greg Hildreth (The Olaf puppet has been designed in a manner similar to the 'double event' puppets in the stage version of The Lion King - both the actor and the character are fully visible at all times). This New York Post article reveals how Hildreth brings his puppet to life, and we also learn why Olaf is more than mere comic relief...

Propelled by New Canaan program, Jelani Alladin stars in Broadway’s ‘Frozen’ - One of the biggest talking points about Frozen:The Musical is the casting of African-American actor Jelani Aladdin as Anna's love interest Kristoff, which adds some much-needed racial diversity to the cast. Here, Alladin tells Connecticut Post about winning a theatrical scholarship at high school inspired him to pursue his acting dreams. He explains the demanding training regime he has to go on in order to prepare for the role, and talks about meeting his idol, Lin-Manuel Miranda...

Q&A: Jelani Alladin of ‘Frozen' - In addition to his Connecticut Post interview, Jelani Alladin has talked to Showtickets.com about playing Kristoff on Broadway. He reveals how he reacted when he first saw Frozen, and explains why he loves that movie so much. Alladin also praises the some of the changes made for Frozen:The Musical, including a new solo for Kristoff in Act two...

Q&A: Patti Murin of 'Frozen' - Showtickets.com have also provided a Q&A with Patti Murin, who is finally receiving a solo interview after sharing numerous interviews with Caissie Levy. Here, Murin explains how she became a fan of musical theatre, reveals how Anna became her favourite Disney Princess, and talks about having a "real life Elsa" in her older sister...

The Curious Care and Feeding of Olaf the Snowman in Broadway's 'Frozen' - This article from LA Times provides more information on Greg Hildreth, as he discusses the physical demands of bringing Olaf to life, and reveals how Michael Grandage taught him to base the character on the silly but wise comic fools traditionally found in Shakespeare plays. The article also highlights the work of Daniel Mura, who is in charge of maintaining the Olaf puppet and ensuring that it remains in good condition during every performance...

The Crew

The stars of Frozen: The Musical are aided by a large crew who help transfer the characters and their world from the screen to the stage. In addition to director Michael Grandage and songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (who appeared extensively in the previous collection of links) a variety of prominent crew members have also enjoyed some time in the spotlight during the Frozen: The Musical publicity campaign...

Exclusive: Choreographer Rob Ashford Gives Us All the Deets on Broadway's 'Frozen' - In this interview with DanceSpirit, Rob Ashford, the head choreographer for Frozen: The Musical, talks about the need to add dance to the story and explains how choreography was used to highlight the differences between the kingdom of Arendelle and the world of the mountains. He also discusses the constraints posed by the elaborate costumes, and reveals what his favourite sequence in the musical is...

Frozen on Broadway is a Grown-Up version of the Disney Movie - This interview with the Lopezes is from Metro.US, and features them explaining how Frozen: The Musical is aimed at more mature audiences. Kristen Anderson-Lopez discusses the dark themes and the Scandinavian-inspired sets and costumes, whilst Robert Lopez talks about the staging of Elsa's coronation, which is soundtracked by a new ballad called 'Dangerous to Dream'...

How 'Frozen' Has Changed from Screen to Stage, Including Elsa's Brand-New Power Ballad - Here, The Lopezes tell Yahoo Entertainment about the differences between Frozen: The Musical and the original movie. They explain why the world of Frozen means so much to them, and provide some intriguing comments about the forthcoming sequel Frozen 2. They also reveal some of the most interesting changes made to Frozen: The Musical since the Denver tryouts concluded...

Here’s the New ‘Frozen’ Musical Poster (and Seven That Didn’t Make the Cut) - As most theatre fans tend to focus on the play and the people who bring it to life, the importance of good marketing (even for a property as iconic as Frozen) is often overlooked. In this article from the New York Times, Disney Theatrical executive Andrew Flatt reveals the official poster for Frozen: The Musical, and shows us seven rejected designs. His comments highlight how much time and effort go into selecting the perfect poster - considering the quality of the final image, he definitely made the right choice...

They Wrote the 'Frozen' Musical for Broadway, but Can they Make it Sing? - The Lopezes have appeared in more promotional material for Frozen: The Musical than anyone else, but Jennifer Lee, who wrote and co-directed the original film, has not appeared very often in the promotional campaign. However, this LA Times article rectifies that imbalance by putting the trio together, and they provide a variety of insights about how closely the songs and dialogue are linked. The Lopezes and Jennifer Lee also explain how a psychologist helped them work on Frozen: The Musical and Frozen 2 (which is due at the end of 2019), and discuss the need to communicate feminist messages in the era of Times Up...

Why is a Master of Shakespeare Directing the Musical 'Frozen'? Because 'Let It Go' isn't too Far From the Bard - Michael Grandage has spent several interviews discussing the parallels between Frozen: The Musical and iconic Shakespeare plays such as As You Like It and Hamlet. He repeats these comparisons in this interview with LA Times, but also provides some new insights, pointing out that the St James' Theatre is famous for hosting some of the greatest American musicals (including Oklahoma! and The King and I), revealing why he needs to make Frozen: The Musical feel new and unique, and explaining why theatre means so much to him...

The New Songs - Frozen Fridays

Since the preview period began, four of the most significant new songs from Frozen: The Musical have been officially released on-line on four consecutive Fridays. The four new songs released during these 'Frozen Fridays' were: 'Monster' (an epic eleven o'clock song for Elsa), 'What Do You Know About Love' (a upbeat duet for Anna and Kristoff), 'Dangerous to Dream' (a song which Elsa sings as she prepares for her coronation) and 'True Love' (a sombre second-act ballad for Anna). All four of these songs can be heard here, and they represent interesting and memorable additions to the Frozen soundtrack. The Lopezes have provided plenty of insights into these new songs, and the way in which they advance the narrative and develop the characters...

Watch a New Song From ‘Frozen’ on Broadway - The first new song to be released was 'Monster', which Elsa sings as she prepares to face up to the damage which her ice powers have caused. In this New York Times article, the Lopezes provide further information about Elsa's "Moment of Reckoning", discussing the need to explore her emotional turmoil in detail whilst also providing hope and optimism for audiences who want Elsa to be a strong and powerful role model. The article also provides audiences with an exclusive look at the music video, which shows Levy performing the song at Manhattan's Gotham Hall...

These Broadway Stars Reacting To A New Song From Frozen On Broadway Are All Of Us- With its dark lyrics and powerful rock-orientated hook, 'Monster' seems to be one of the most popular of the new songs added to Frozen: The Musical. This article from OhMyDisney shows several Broadway stars (who have appeared in Disney Theatrical hits such as The Lion King, Aladdin and Newsies), listening to 'Monster' for the first time, and their excited and emotional reactions indicate that the song is going to be a major fan favourite...

The Inside Story behind Anna and Kristoff's new Broadway 'Frozen' Duet (plus exclusive song premiere) - The song released on the second 'Frozen Friday' was 'What Do You Know About Love?', a number where Anna and Kristoff sing about their conflicting perspectives on romance as they cross a treacherous bridge. In this article from Yahoo Entertainment, the Lopezes reveal how they adapted Anna and Kristoff's journey for the stage, and explain how they drew on their own relationship in order to develop the dynamic between the two protagonists, as their initial hostility towards each other gradually turns into a powerful friendship...

'Frozen' Exclusive: Hear Elsa's Emotional New Song from the Broadway Musical - In this article from USA Today, written to coincide with the release of 'Dangerous to Dream' (the third song to be released during the 'Frozen Fridays), The Lopezes provide a brief but interesting commentary on all four of the 'Frozen Fridays' songs. They explain how Dangerous to Dream functions as "an 'I want' song for a character who's not allowed to want anything", and how Kristen Anderson-Lopez's history of heartbreak inspired 'True Love'...

Listen to the Frozen Musical’s New Solo for Princess Anna, ‘True Love’ - The final 'Frozen Fridays' release was 'True Love', an eleven o'clock ballad which Anna sings at her absolute lowest point, after Hans betrays her and the 'Frozen Heart' curse accidentally inflicted by Elsa begins to take its toll. In this article from Vulture, Patti Murin and Kristen Anderson-Lopez reveal how 'True Love' conveys Anna's growing disillusionment, and we also learn how the song elaborates on the arrangement and themes of Frozen's iconic opening ballad 'Do You Want to Build A Snowman?'...

Summary

Based on these articles and interviews, it seems like Frozen: The Musical will satisfy Frozen fans whilst providing enough unique elements to please more critical audiences. As the official opening night gets increasingly close, the enthusiastic reactions of Frozen addicts and the goings on behind the scenes have been emphasised in greater detail, but the publicity campaign for Frozen: The Musical has not changed much over the past month, with the Lopezes, Michael Grandage and Caissie Levy still extensively promoting the darker, more mature tone of this production. Overall, Frozen: The Musical is likely to enjoy a long and successful run on Broadway. It will probably receive several nominations in the Tony Awards (Broadway's equivalent to the Oscars) and audiences all over the world can look forward to seeing Frozen: The Musical arrive in major theatres all over the world over the next few years...

The Shape of Water - Review

Who Made The Shape of Water?

The Shape of Water is directed by Guillermo Del Toro, who is best known for creating fairy-tale inspired gothic horror movies such as Pan's Labyrinth and Crimson Peak. Del Toro came up with the story for The Shape of Water and co-wrote the screenplay with Vanessa Taylor.

What’s it About?

The Shape of Water centres on Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) a mute woman living in 1960s Baltimore. Elisa spends her nights working as a cleaner at a mysterious research facility with her friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer). During the day, she lives in an apartment above a cinema, spending her time with neighbour Giles (Richard Jenkins), a struggling artist. One day, Elisa finds a mysterious amphibious creature (Doug Jones) being held in the facility, with the tyrannical American government agent Strickland (Michael Shannon) and principled Soviet spy Dr Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) both taking an interest in studying the so-called ‘Asset’. Elisa forms a relationship with the creature, and after finding out about Strickland’s barbaric treatment of the creature and his plans to have it vivisected, she hatches a plan to help it escape…

My Review

(NOTE: This Review Contains Some Minor Spoilers, So Be Careful...)

The Shape of Water is one of the most prominent competitors in this year’s Academy Awards, (having received an impressive 13 nominations) and it has received plenty of nominations and awards in the other major ceremonies of Awards Season. It’s easy to see why the movie has been so popular with critics, as Del Toro has provided a timeless and appealing romance without sacrificing his signature dark, atmospheric and mysterious style. Overall, The Shape of Water is definitely worthy of the accolades it has received, living up to the promise (used in the tagline for the official novelization) that it will be “a fairy tale for troubled times”…

The fairy tale nature of the movie is established perfectly through an opening voice-over from Giles, as he prepares us for “a tale of love and loss” about “the princess without voice” and “the monster who threatened to destroy it all”. The Shape of Water certainly fits this poetic description. Elisa is the latest in a long line of mute fairy tale heroines (she even shares her name with the protagonist of Hans Christian Andersen's story The Wild Swans), and in spite of some early attempts at misdirection, It doesn’t take long to figure out that violent, bigoted and misogynistic Strickland, who embodies every negative feature of American masculinity, will be the monster. Giles and Zelda also fit the familiar archetypes of the struggling artist and the sassy black best friend, respectively. However, Del Toro and Taylor ensure that these characters are more than just stock figures. Few fairy tale films begin with the protagonist performing sexual activities in the bath, and Elisa is a quirky and sometimes mischievous character who is not your traditional paragon of integrity. Furthermore, in spite of all the familiar tropes and conventions in this story, the final scenes actually come as a bit of a surprise. Although a bittersweet and mysterious conclusion was an inevitability, given the tone of the story and its development, the way the ending plays out is darker and more shocking than expected, and all the better for it.

The Shape of Water tells a simple story, but the technical aspects are handled brilliantly. The prologue, featuring the camera taking us through a series of rooms flooded with water, perfectly establishes the mysterious and atmospheric mood. The effects work used to bring the ‘Asset’ to life (Costumes and facial prosthetics were utilised to create the creature, with computer effects added to enhance its expressions) is seamless, and the cinematography is effective. Del Toro originally planned to shoot The Shape of Water in black and white, and whilst this would have been really interesting, the use of colour is justified. The predominantly blue and green colour palette is a bit murky, but it suits the film very well, and there are plenty of excellent shots. The score from Alexandre Desplat is worthy of special mention, as it conveys both old-fashioned romance and the beauty and mystery of the underwater world. Del Toro’s love of cinema is evident throughout the movie, especially in scenes where Elisa visits to the cinema below her apartment and watches old Shirley Temple movies with Giles. At one point, she even briefly gains a voice in a black-and-white song-and-dance sequence set to the song ‘You’ll Never Know’. There are also numerous subtle allusions to films ranging from 1950s monster movies (The ‘Asset’ is essentially The Creature from the Black Lagoon) to Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies such as Top Hat and Follow the Fleet. In a sense, The Shape of Water is to the 2018 Oscars what films like The Artist and La La Land were to past Academy Award ceremonies – a charming throwback to the classic cinematic genres which have fallen into decline. However, regarding The Shape of Water as just another celebration of Hollywood’s past is a real insult – this film uses its technical magic to provide something deeper and more substantial than mere escapism...

The acting is excellent across the board. As Elisa, Sally Hawkins (Paddington 2) communicates entirely in sign language (On some occasions, she is subtitled, but on others, Giles and Zelda explain what she is saying). Even when she is with more talkative characters, Hawkins has little trouble gaining our attention and providing a protagonist both unique and relatable. The ‘Asset’ is also unable to speak, but Del Toro regular Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth) brings him to life with agile and fluid body language. The 'Asset' shares Elisa’s empathy and fascination with movies, TV and music, but the character has a darker side which gets unleashed if you make him angry or scared. The wordless romance which develops between Elisa and the ‘Asset’ is engaging and totally plausible. The initial scenes of Elisa sharing her food with the creature soon blossom into a relationship both ordinary and extraordinary, as moments where the two sit at a table and eat breakfast are contrasted with a memorable sex scene in a flooding bathroom. As odd as the inter-species romance may seem on paper, Del Toro manages to convince us that the human and sea-creature are meant for each other.

Aside from our two protagonists, the supporting cast is also memorable. Richard Jenkins (Let Me In) plays Giles, a closeted gay man who comes to recognise the extent to which he is forbidden from expressing his desires and begins to understand why Elisa cares so much about the ‘Asset’. Michael Shannon (Man of Steel) has a reputation for playing intimidating and volatile villains, and uses this to disturbing effect as Strickland, making the character a major threat from the beginning and giving his eventual villainous breakdown greater impact. As he loses control of the ‘Asset’, and a gruesome injury inflicted by the creature begins to take its toll on him, Strickland drops all pretences of normalcy, resulting in the most brutal scenes of the movie. Octavia Spencer (The Help) is likeable as Zelda, and gets some amusing lines, but she is relatively underused for most of the story. Meanwhile, Michael Stuhlbarg (Hugo) is excellent as Dr. Hoffstetler, who is torn between serving his Soviet superiors and protecting the fascinating ‘Asset’. His internal dilemma generates a level of ambiguity which makes his scenes tense and engaging. Although Stuhlbarg’s turn has received less recognition than the rest of the cast, he deserves to be singled out for praise as well.

The Shape of Water is set in the early 1960s (any indications of a specific year are vague and contradictory) and the period setting is used brilliantly, with most of the main characters being associated with certain aspects of American culture. Elisa is fascinated by the entertainment offered by both grand cinemas and boxy, black and white TVs. Giles spends his time buying key lime pies from an isolated diner and pitching advertisements to an unappreciative ad agency, whilst Strickland’s suburban house and flashy new Cadillac demonstrate his single-minded obsession with being successful.  The Cold War skulduggery threatens to distract from the main story at times, but it raises the stakes for Elisa and her friends, and the idea of contrasting a monstrous American agent with a compassionate Soviet spy is an impressively subversive touch. Most of the unpleasant aspects of the early 1960s, such as the homophobia and racism, are depicted clearly but subtly, highlighting the extent to which Elisa, Giles and Zelda are isolated. This makes it easy to understand are willing to risk everything they have to protect the creature. The message in favour of social justice is clear and unambiguous, and this gives The Shape of Water dramatic resonance which elevates it beyond traditional Hollywood fare. Ultimately, for all the scenes of sex and violence, it is the political messages and enthralling atmosphere which make The Shape of Water feel like an adult fairy tale, and this is why it has been so successful...

Conclusion

The Shape of Water resoundingly succeeds in its goal of providing a classic fairy tale with a modern and subversive edge. Although the story is a familiar one, Del Toro makes it his movie feel unique and engaging, due to its intriguing setting, likeable protagonists and despicable villain. The film also stands out due to its distinctive atmosphere, enhanced by distinctive cinematography and an excellent score. The Shape of Water is brimming with interesting ideas, celebrating the tenacity and compassion of Elisa and her friends whilst protesting against the injustices and cruelties which make life so difficult for them. In lesser hands, The Shape of Water could have been a formulaic and ridiculous mess, but Del Toro has the talent to make it into something special. The Shape of Water deserves all the recognition it has received this awards season, and it is a must-watch for older viewers seeking a mature but magical fairy tale which captures the mystery and enchantment which the best works in the genre provide.

If You Liked This, See…

La Belle Et La Bete (1946) – The Shape of Water is essentially a variation on Gabrielle Suzanne Barbot De Villeneuve’s legendary fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, as a beautiful woman falls in love with a mysterious creature. Although numerous changes have been made to the traditional template (the Beast is the one being held in capitivity in this story), The Shape of Water still has plenty of similarities to Jean Cocteau’s iconic adaptation of Villeneuve’s story, with a focus on physical expression over dialogue, a powerful gothic atmosphere, and an aggressive alpha-male villain…

Let Me Hear You Whisper (1969) – The harshest criticism affecting The Shape of Water has come from those accusing Del Toro of plagiarising his story from the play Let Me Hear You Whisper, adapted into a TV film in 1969. Both films concern a cleaner at a research facility seeking to free an aquatic creature. The two movies have undeniable similarities, but Del Toro’s story feels distinct enough to not seem like a blatant copy. Regardless of whether you think Del Toro copied from Let Me Hear You Whisper, it is interesting to see how these two different films tackled the same basic ideas…

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Del Toro previously won three Oscars for this Spanish-language film about a girl in Fascist-era Spain who comes across a mysterious fantasy word. Although darker and scarier, Pan's Labyrinth contains many of the same elements as The Shape of Water, including a plucky female protagonist, mysterious creatures played by Doug Jones and a sadistic, authoritarian villain more terrifying than any fictional monster…

Frozen: The Musical - Articles and Links

Frozen: The Musical, the long-awaited stage adaptation of Disney's 2013 animated megahit Frozen, is finally about to arrive on Broadway. Previews begin at the St. James Theatre on Thursday, and the show officially opens there on 22nd March. Frozen: The Musical was greenlit shortly after the original film became a major pop-cultural phenomenon, and its arrival on Broadway represents the culmination of months of hard work from the cast and crew. Audiences of all ages are incredibly interested in seeing the adventures of Anna and Elsa brought to life on stage, and during a seven-week tryout in Denver last summer, Frozen: The Musical attracted audiences of almost 126,000 people. Reviews of the Denver performances provided plenty of constructive criticism, and the show has undergone some substantial alterations (around 30% of the musical - approximately 40 minutes worth of material - has apparently been changed since the end of the Denver tryout) in order to get it ready for Broadway. Hopefully, it will prove a major critical and commercial success and appeal to both fans of Frozen and casual audiences...

Here, we will showcase a variety of articles about Frozen: The Musical, including interviews with key members of the cast and crew, and previews of some of the new songs created for this version of Anna and Elsa's story.

(Note: This post contains spoilers, as it assumes that most of us are familiar with the story of Frozen by now. If you aren't, be careful...)


Interviews with Michael Grandage

Frozen: The Musical will be brought to life by the British director Michael Grandage. Although best known for directing acclaimed plays such as Red and Frost/Nixon, he has also overseen major revivals of the grand and glitzy musicals Evita and Guys and Dolls. Grandage has talked extensively about his aims of making Frozen: The Musical deeper and more dramatic without losing the entertainment value and spectacle of the source material...

‘Frozen’ Director Michael Grandage On How the Show Took Shape - In September 2016, Michael Grandage was appointed director of Frozen: The Musical after Disney Theatrical's initial choice, Alex Timbers, left the production. In this interview with Broadway News, Grandage explains why he joined the project, and reveals how he developed his vision for the project in the ten months before the Denver tryouts began. He also talks about the need to make Frozen: The Musical feel like a unique work independent from the original film...

Frozen Musical: First Look at the Stars in Costume - This article from Entertainment Weekly was unveiled on the day Frozen: The Musical began its run in Denver, and it provided us with our first look at the lead actors in costume. It also features Grandage promoting the advantages of theatrical productions, including the increased length and the opportunity to make constant alterations every night. He also discusses the changes made to the characters and the need to provide new surprises for the audience. Meanwhile, Christopher Oram, who designed the sets and costumes for the musical, reveals how he was inspired by his trips to Norway and explains how he provided detailed and elaborate costumes which could also be suitable for the demands of a spectacular stage musical....

Frozen on Broadway: Inside Disney’s Latest Stage Adaptation - In this short but interesting article from Vanity Fair, Grandage explains how Frozen resembles Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It, and reveals how he has made Frozen: The Musical more mysterious and magical, with the comedic trolls from the original movie re-imagined as 'Hidden Folk' based on Scandinavian forest spirits. We also get a pretty photo of protagonists Anna, Elsa and Kristoff interacting with each other against a snowy mountain backdrop...

Michael Grandage Finds Shakespeare in “Frozen” - In a directing career lasting over two decades, Michael Grandage has supervised productions of a number of iconic Shakespeare plays. In this article from The New Yorker, Grandage explains how has been inspired by Shakespeare's comedies Twelfth Night and As You Like It. He also reveals that wintry themes and settings have been used frequently in his Shakespeare productions, and explains the parallels between Elsa and Shakespeare's iconic tragic protagonist Hamlet, as both are defined by their existential journeys...

Michael Grandage on 'Frozen on Broadway': I'll Never Grow Tired of 'Let it Go' - In this article from The Daily Telegraph, Michael Grandage discusses his career as a director, producer and head of the Michael Grandage Company. Although the article is focused on Grandage's British work, with very little about Frozen: The Musical, he gets to explain why 'Let it Go' is such a popular and iconic song, and demonstrates his knowledge of Frozen through a mini pop quiz...

Why Broadway’s Frozen Will Be a Different Story From the Disney Animated Musical - The original Frozen was such a huge success because its subversions of the traditional Disney Princess formula felt unique and exciting. As Frozen: The Musical will stick very closely to the storyline of the movie, it will not be easy to capture the surprise value of these iconic moments. However, in this interview with Playbill, Grandage claims that Frozen: The Musical will feel like an entirely unique story, and the possibility that things may develop differently ensures that the memorable twists from the movie will seem fresh and exciting again. He points to the success of Frost/Nixon (his play about David Frost's interviews with Richard Nixon in 1977) as proof that a retelling of a familiar story can engage audiences and feel completely new to them...

Interviews with Kristen and Robert Anderson-Lopez

One of the biggest selling point of Disney's stage musicals is the opportunity to hear numerous new songs alongside the old favourites, and Kristen and Robert Anderson-Lopez who wrote the songs for Frozen, have added a variety of new tunes for the Broadway version. The songs from the original movie, such as "Do You Want to Build A Snowman?", "For the First Time in Forever" and "Let It Go", will be joined by new songs like "What Do You Know About Love?", "Dangerous to Dream" and "Monster". Based on the interviews which the Lopez's have conducted to discuss the additions to the soundtrack, it seems like a few of them could be incredibly popular with Frozen fans...

5 Things We Learned At BroadwayCon’s ‘Frozen’ Show Spotlight - In January, the Lopez's promoted Frozen: The Musical at the major musical theatre festival BroadwayCon. This article from StageBuddy explains five of the most interesting facts revealed by the Lopez's at this event, as they told audiences how they used 'Let It Go' to develop Elsa's character, explained how their daughter helped them create lyrics for 'For the First Time in Forever' and discussed the Japanese puppetry used to bring Anna's snowman sidekick Olaf to life on stage. The most exciting comment from the Lopez's was their reveal that four of the songs they created for Frozen: The Musical ('Dangerous to Dream', 'What Do You Know About Love?, 'Monster' and 'True Love') will be released on consecutive 'Frozen Fridays' during the four weeks leading up to opening night...

8 Things You Need to Know About Frozen‘s New Show on Broadway - Another article about the Lopez's BroadwayCon appearance, this report from Clevver provides a bit more information. In this article, we get to hear the Lopez's discuss the new songs for each major character, talk about the ability to revisit material which they could not use in the original Frozen, and reveal how they listened to audience feedback when editing Frozen: The Musical following the Denver tryouts...

Robert Lopez On How Star Wars Influenced Frozen the Broadway Musical - In Frozen: The Musical, all the major characters (and a couple of minor ones) from the original movie will get their own signature songs. One of the hardest characters to write for is Hans, the seemingly perfect prince who eventually becomes Frozen's primary villain. Facing the challenge of trying to trick fans of Frozen into trusting Hans a second time, Robert Lopez turned to John Williams' iconic score for Star Wars movies in order to find inspiration. In this article, he reveals to Nerdist how he used Williams' leitmotif for Luke Skywalker as as a model for Hans' new theme song, 'Hans of the Southern Isles'...

She was ‘Frozen.’ Now ex-Charlottean Kristen Anderson-Lopez is On Fire.- This article from Charlotte Observer was written to promote the 2016 Broadway production of Kristen Anderson-Lopez's a capella musical In Transit, but it provided an excellent opportunity for her and Robert to talk about the new music which they were creating for Frozen: The Musical. They reveal that it took 9 months to create enough new songs to fill a stage musical, and explain how they will use these additional songs to develop the characters and overcome the constraints of the stage...

The Challenges in Adapting Frozen for the Broadway Stage - This article from Playbill was written in 2016, when Frozen: The Musical was at a relatively early stage in development (Alex Timbers was still attached to direct at this point). Here, Robert Lopez talks about the need to radically expand the score and story for Frozen: The Musical, and discusses the challenges faced when adapting a film like Frozen for the stage, as a story which was previously told through action sequences and close-ups now needs to be driven by the music...

Writing A Score From Screen to Stage - In this article from Broadway Direct, the Lopez's discuss the difference between animated movies and stage musicals, and explain how the process of writing songs changed as Frozen: The Musical went deeper into production, with even the smallest things needing to be altered in order to make the musical as engaging and spectacular as possible. The Lopez's place particular focus on 'Colder by the Minute', an elaborate musical number which will be the soundtrack to the climatic confrontation between our main characters. They reveal how they used the lyrics and melodies to create atmosphere and tension and provide a strong structure for the sequence, as Anna has to choose whether to seek help from Kristoff or save Elsa from Hans...

Interviews with Caissie Levy 

Given her status as Frozen's most iconic and interesting character, it is little surprise that promotional material for Frozen: The Musical has focused primarily on Elsa. In Frozen: The Musical, Elsa will be played by Caissie Levy, who has starred in hit musicals such as Wicked, Les Miserables and Ghost: The Musical. In these interviews, she explains what it's like to bring Elsa to life, and discusses the songs which she will get to perform, including a certain Oscar-winning power ballad...

A New Frozen For Every Age - Unsurprisingly, many interviews with Caissie Levy have paired her with Patti Murin, who plays Elsa's sister Anna. In this article, Levy and Murin discuss Frozen: The Musical, promising a deeper version of the familiar story which deals with more mature themes. Furthermore, Levy also explains what it's like to develop Elsa and her internal struggles...

Caissie Levy & Patti Murin Redefine the Disney Princess in Broadway's Frozen - In this interview with Broadway.com, Caissie Levy and Patti Murin discuss their relationship, revealing how well they get on and explaining what they love most about Anna and Elsa. They also share a couple of personal secrets and talk about their friendships with some of the stars of the original Frozen, such as Elsa's original voice actress, Idina Menzel...

Caissie Levy Breaks the Ice in 'Frozen' on Broadway - In this article from TodayTix, Levy praises the fact that Elsa is not defined by her relationship with a man (most of the characters she has played on stage have been in romantic relationships with the male protagonists), reveals why Elsa's character arc resonates with so many people, and talks about performing Elsa's iconic signature song, 'Let it Go', which is being used to conclude Act 1 of Frozen: The Musical. Michael Grandage and Patti Murin also appear in this article, explaining why Levy is the ideal choice to play Elsa...

Canadian Caissie Levy is Warming Up to Be Broadway’s Elsa in Frozen - In this interview with the Toronto Star, Levy reveals how being a mother has inspired her interpretation of Elsa. She also reveals the endorsement Idina Menzel gave her in a recent meeting, and explains why the narrative of Frozen: The Musical has been simplified since the Denver tryouts...

“Frozen” Star Caissie Levy On Elsa: “She’s Been Taught The Thing That Makes Her Special Needs To Be Denied” - In this interview with NewNowNext, Levy reveals how she gained the role of Elsa, and tells us how she is preparing for belting out numerous power ballads every night on Broadway. She also discusses Elsa's anxieties and her love for Anna...

‘Frozen’ Stars Look Forward to Performing New Songs in Broadway Show - In this article from Newsday, Levy promotes Elsa's new song 'Monster', which she describes as "badass". She also discusses what it's like to sing 'Let it Go', and reveals how focusing on the lyrics and story of that song will allow audiences to rediscover what made that song so iconic in the first place...

Videos

Murin and Levy will be joined by a large cast of talented actors, with Frozen's three other main characters, Kristoff, Hans and Olaf, being played by Jelani Alladin, John Riddle and Greg Hildreth respectively. All five of the lead performers have appeared together in numerous videos to promote Frozen: The Musical, as they talk about their characters and reveal what it is like to portray them on stage. Michael Grandage and Kristen and Robert Anderson-Lopez have also appeared frequently in these videos, along with several key members of the creative team...

7 Reasons to Get Excited for Broadway's Frozen - In this interview with Playbill, the lead stars and key creatives of Frozen: The Musical discuss the aspects of the musical which excite them the most. Michael Grandage and Caissie Levy promote the new version of 'Let it Go', Jelani Alladin praises the sophisticated puppetry used to bring Kristoff's reindeer sidekick Sven to life, Kristen Anderson-Lopez reveals that the ending has been changed since the Denver tryout, and Greg Hildreth teases a new song for Olaf...

BWW TV: Bundle Up and Watch the Frozen Team Preview New Songs for Broadway! - In this video from BroadwayWorld, Michael Grandage, Kristen and Robert Anderson-Lopez and the five lead actors tell reporter Richard Ridge about Frozen: The Musical. Patti Murin explains how working with the Lopez's inspired her to continue acting, John Riddle talks about his childhood love of Disney villains, and Greg Hildreth places Olaf in the Shakespearean tradition of silly but wise comic fools. Meanwhile, Kristen Anderson-Lopez talks about the changes made to the story, and sings the new songs 'Dangerous to Dream' and 'What Do You Know About Love?' with Robert accompanying her on piano...

Frozen Fridays  - In this Instagram video released to promote the 'Frozen Fridays' which begin this Friday, the Lopez's reveal that 'Monster', a second-act power ballad for Elsa, will be the first new song released during the promotion. They also reveal their excitement at unveiling four of the new songs early...

Frozen The Musical: Official Trailer - This video was released shortly before the Denver tryouts began and provided Frozen fans with their first proper look at Frozen: The Musical. It shows us footage of the cast rehearsing for the show and gives us information about the large creative team, headed by director Michael Grandage, writer Jennifer Lee and executive producer Thomas Schumacher...

Frozen The Musical: The Countdown to Broadway - In this video, Michael Grandage talks about his excitement at sharing Frozen: The Musical with audiences and critics for the first time at Denver, and explains how this influenced the development of the project. He also teases some of the changes made to the musical since the Denver tryout, with a new opening and conclusion, several changes to the songs, and a more streamlined narrative...

Frozen The Musical: The Sitzprobe - In the world of musical theatre, the 'Sitzprobe' is the first full runthrough of the songs with an orchestra. In this video, we see the 'Sitzprobe' for Frozen: The Musical, which took place before the Denver tryouts. We get to hear snippets of 'For the First Time in Forever; 'What Do You Know About Love?' and 'Dangerous to Dream', as sung by the cast, whilst the Lopez's and other figures involved in bringing the songs and score to life (such as Dave Metzger, who is in charge of the orchestrations) discuss the diversity of the soundtrack and the new songs given to the characters...

Introducing Caissie Levy and Patti Murin of Broadway's Frozen - In this video, Caissie Levy and Patti Murin reveal what it's like to play Elsa and Anna, and explain the journey which their characters undertake as they come of age. Meanwhile, Jennifer Lee, who co-directed the original Frozen and wrote the book for the stage version, explains how the two actresses bring Anna and Elsa to life and put their own distinct spin on the characters...

What is at the Core of Your Character? - In this Instagram video, our five leads provide some brief but interesting comments on their characters, as Patti Murin talks about Anna's optimism, Jelani Alladin discusses Kristoff's relationship with Sven, and John Riddle explains his take on the slippery Prince Hans...

Summary 

All the interviews and articles listed above indicate that Frozen: The Musical is going to provide something new and different whilst staying true to the iconic source material. The promotional campaign for Frozen: The Musical has focused on the more elaborate story, the increased levels of character development, and the wide range of new songs, creating anticipation amongst Frozen fans whilst also winning the attention of those less interested in the 2013 Disney megahit. Particularly welcome is the emphasis on Caissie Levy, whose comments indicate that Elsa and Anna's sisterly relationship (which has made Frozen into such an iconic and successful franchise) will be expanded upon in this version. Overall, it seems like Frozen: The Musical will be able to emulate the success of Disney Theatrical's stage adaptations of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, and it will eventually enjoy long runs in major theatres all over the world...

15 Fairy Tale Films to Watch on TV This Christmas

During the Christmas season, the British TV schedules are full of excellent TV programmes and films which aim to provide escapist entertainment for the whole family. Many of the best films showing on TV over the Christmas period are based on fairy tales and classic children’s stories, and this article highlights 15 of the best fairy tale films being shown over the festive period this year. In order to make this list easier to put together, it only includes films which are being shown on Britain's five terrestrial channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5).

Frozen

When's It On? - Saturday 23rd December at 2:50PM (BBC1)

Although overexposure has somewhat diluted the surprise value which made it so popular, Disney's 2013 musical Frozen has firmly established itself as one of the most successful and iconic family films of all time, with its memorable characters, creative twists, and an array of inescapably catchy songs such as 'Let it Go'. Last year, its terrestrial premiere attracted an impressive 4.7 million viewers, and it looks like the story of Anna and Elsa will be a Christmas staple on BBC1 for years to come. Frozen fans with cable might also want to check out Olaf's Frozen Adventure, a 20-minute Christmas special centred on snowman sidekick Olaf, which will air on Sky Cinema on Christmas Day.

Cinderella

When's It On? - Christmas Day at 3:10PM (BBC1)

This Christmas Day, Disney's recent live-action remake of Cinderella enjoys its terrestrial premiere on BBC1, becoming one of the major highlights of their Christmas Day schedule. Director Kenneth Branagh applies his signature spectacular style to the fairy tale, with Downton Abbey star Lily James playing Cinderella and Kate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother Lady Tremaine. This new version gives increased depth and complexity to characters who were mere plot devices in the original (such as the Prince and the Fairy Godmother) but manages to retain the simplicity and charm of the original story. With its incredible visuals, compelling story, and powerful messages about the importance of kindness and tenacity, Cinderella is one of the standouts in Disney's recent crop of live-action remakes, making it excellent entertainment for viewers of all ages. 

Dumbo

When's It On?  - Christmas Day at 4:30PM (Channel 4)

Disney were struggling financially in 1942, but their adaptation of the obscure short story Dumbo, about an elephant with unusually big ears, was the hit they needed to turn their fortunes around. At just 65 minutes long, Dumbo is far shorter than any of the other movies on this list, but it provides the impressive animation and memorable characters needed to compete with the longer, flashier films. Whilst some elements of Dumbo have not aged well, the simple but timeless story of a misfit learning how to make use of his unique gifts remains universally appealing. A live-action adaptation of this film arrives in 2019, so now is a good time to make yourself familiar with the original.

Song of the Sea

When's It On?  - Boxing Day at 6:40AM (Channel 4)

Many people use Boxing Day as an opportunity to enjoy a well-earned rest after the chaos of Christmas Day. However, it is definitely worth getting up early to watch Song of the Sea, an Oscar-nominated movie from the acclaimed animation studio Cartoon Saloon. Like their 2009 film The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea is based on Irish folklore, using myths about Selkies, fairies and witches as the basis for a unique and magical story. The movie deals with weighty topics such as bereavement, but it has enough comedy and adventure to keep younger audiences entertained, and the relationship between protagonist Billy and his mute younger sister Saoirse is incredibly easy to relate to. However, the best things about Song of the Sea are the beautiful hand-drawn animation and the Celtic-inspired soundtrack. Overall, the movie is a real treat for children and adults alike, and it will hopefully inspire viewers to check out other Cartoon Saloon projects, such as their forthcoming film The Breadwinner. 

Mary Poppins

When's It On? - Boxing Day at 3:45PM (BBC1)

Disney's 1964 movie Mary Poppins is easily the most iconic of the numerous live-action films created by the studio, and really deserves its status as a mainstay of Christmas TV. Loosely based on a series of novels by P.L. Travers, it tells the story of a mysterious nanny who arrives at the house of Mr Banks and his family and changes their lives. With memorable performances from Julie Andrews, David Tomlinson and Dick Van Dyke, and the brilliant soundtrack from the Sherman Brothers (who can forget songs like 'Feed the Birds', 'A Spoonful of Sugar' or 'Step in Time'?), Mary Poppins continues to weave its powerful spell on audiences all over the world. The forthcoming sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, is one of the most anticipated films of 2018, but it will find it incredibly difficult to emulate the success and longevity of its predecessor.  

The Little Mermaid

When's It On? - Boxing Day at 4:20PM (Channel 4)

When it was released in 1989, Disney's upbeat adventure musical The Little Mermaid was a major critical and commercial success, starting the purple patch known as the Disney Renaissance. Almost three decades after it first arrived in cinemas, it remains one of Disney's most enjoyable movies. Red-headed protagonist Ariel was the first in Disney's long line of adventurous and assertive female leads, and she is joined by a memorable cast of supporting characters, including Sebastian the crab, Flounder the fish, and the wonderfully diabolical baddie Ursula. The movie also features some of the greatest Disney songs ever, including 'Part of Your World', 'Under the Sea' and 'Kiss the Girl'. Even if you take issue with Ariel's search for love, it is impossible to deny the impact of The Little Mermaid - rewatch it yourself and see how much the recent Wonder Woman movie borrowed from it...

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella

When's It On? -  Boxing Day at 5:35PM (BBC2)

Although this is technically not a movie, the television broadcast of Matthew Bourne's Cinderella is feature-length, and is definitely worth mentioning in this article. For his spin on Prokofiev's ballet Cinderella, the iconic choreographer/director relocated the traditional story of Cinderella and Prince Charming to WW2-era London. Bourne’s production uses dancing, costumes, sets, and cutting-edge projections to invoke nostalgia for the culture of the period whilst highlighting the chaos and destruction caused by the German bombing raids at the time. If you are unable to see Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella in person at Sadlers Wells Theatre this Christmas, then this TV screening allows you to enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. Seasoned Matthew Bourne fans will have a great time watching this, and for those not familiar with his work, it represents an excellent introduction.

The Princess and the Frog

When's It On?  - Wednesday 27th December at 10:45AM (BBC1)

When it was released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog was the first traditionally animated Disney movie in five years, and the first Disney Princess movie since Mulan over a decade earlier. A reworking of The Frog Prince set in 1920s New Orleans, it pays loving tribute to the bayous, parades and jazz music which defined that time and place, whilst also providing a modern and assertive protagonist in the shape of the hard-working Tiana, a waitress who gets mistaken for a princess and ends up going on an incredible adventure. Although it was not successful enough to permanently revive traditional animation, The Princess and the Frog generated renewed interest in Disney's fairy tale formula, paving the way for the likes of Tangled and Frozen. It has often been overshadowed by its successors, but it is a colourful, charming throwback which will entertain viewers of all ages.

The Red Shoes

When's It On? - Wednesday 27th December at 12:10PM (BBC2)

Made by the iconic writer/director duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes has fascinated and haunted audiences all over the world since it was first released in 1948. The movie centres on Victoria Page, a dancer preparing to star in a ballet based on the titular Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Like the protagonist of that story, Victoria finds herself unable to stop dancing, and her inability to control her passion leads to tragedy. With its sumptuous technicolour cinematography, impressively detailed sets, and Moira Shearer’s magnetic performance in the lead role, The Red Shoes has become recognised as one of the greatest British movies of all time. If you haven’t already seen this enthralling and atmospheric movie, this Christmas is the perfect time to check it out for yourself.

Brave

When's It On?  - Friday 29th December at 4:20PM (BBC1)

Pixar’s animated films are traditionally set in modern times, with male protagonists, but for their 2012 film Brave, they adopted the signature formula of parent studio Disney with a female-centred adventure story set in ancient Scotland. The rebellious Princess Merida rejects traditional gender roles, choosing to pursue her interest in riding and archery instead of searching for a mate, and her strained relationship with her mother Queen Elinor provides a welcome contrast to Disney’s traditional emphasis on father/daughter dynamics. The Scottish forests and highlands provide Brave with a magical, mystical feel and allow it to maintain the family-friendly appeal of Disney and Pixar’s output, even as it deviates from many of their traditional conventions. 

Ever After: A Cinderella Story

When's It On? - Saturday 30th December at 12:50PM (Channel 4)

Ever After is the third adaptation of Cinderella mentioned on this list, but it is definitely unique and entertaining enough to stand out, updating the source material to reflect modern, progressive values whilst staying true to the elements which made it so popular in the first place. In this version, Drew Barrymore plays Danielle, a feisty young woman forced into servitude by her tyrannical stepmother, who finds herself falling in love with the handsome Prince Henry. Set in 16th Century France, Ever After downplays the fantasy elements which define most versions of Cinderella, with the legendary inventor Leonardo Da Vinci taking the place of the Fairy Godmother and using science to help Danielle on her path to a happy ending. However, it provides more than enough adventure, comedy and romance to please fans of the traditional story. Since its release in 1998 Ever After has gained a substantial fanbase, with many regarding it as one of the best adaptations of Cinderella. Any fairy tale enthusiasts who have previously overlooked Ever After should see it during the festive period. 

Alice in Wonderland

When’s It On? - Saturday 30th December at 6:20PM (BBC2)

Although Disney had remade some of their animated films in live-action before, Tim Burton’s 2010 adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (both a remake and a sequel at the same time) turned these re-imaginings into the cornerstone of Disney’s live-action division, and helped fuel the growing trend for darker and edgier fairy tale adaptations. Burton’s Wonderland is a grim dystopia, but it allows the director to show off his signature twisted and imaginative visuals. Mia Wazowskia plays a teenage Alice, whilst Burton’s muses Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp play the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter respectively. They are joined by a cast of British acting icons (ranging from Stephen Fry to the late Alan Rickman), who voice the eccentric inhabitants of Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland is one of the darker films on the list, but is still recommended for Tim Burton fans and those who would like an alternative to the more sugary and upbeat fairy tale films traditionally shown over Christmas. 

Into the Woods

When's It On? - New Years Eve at 8PM (BBC2)

When it made its debut on Broadway in 1987, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Into the Woods attracted the attention of numerous actors and producers with its intelligent deconstruction of classic fairy tales and the messages they teach us. It did not reach the big screen until 2014, but it is testament to the enduring power of Into the Woods that this adaptation featured household names such as James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Meryl Streep in the leading roles. Although several key elements of the source material were cut for the film, most of Sondheim's songs (including 'Hello Little Girl', 'Agony' and the beautiful 'No One is Alone') remain intact, and it is great to see the all-star cast put their spin on these classics. 

Hugo

When's It On? - New Years Day at 1:10PM (Channel 4)

Famous for violent, profane and gritty crime movies such as Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese is one of the last directors who you would associate with the fairy tale genre. However, his 2011 film Hugo is a magical change of pace, blending fairy tale tropes with early 20th century technology such as movie cameras and automatons. Based on a novel by Brian Selznick, it tells the story of Hugo, a boy living in 1930s Paris, who befriends the daughter of the legendary film-maker George Melies. Melies used pioneering special effects to create a wide array of spectacular silent movies (including one of the first cinematic adaptations of Cinderella), and Hugo provides a fascinating introduction to his life and work. With its incredible visuals and an excellent cast (Including Asa Butterfield as Hugo and Ben Kingsley as George Melies), Hugo is an enthralling tribute to the power of cinema to bring the most incredible dreams and fantasies to life. 

Maleficent

When's It On? - New Years Day at 5PM (BBC1)

Following in the path of revisionist fairy tale hits such as Wicked and Once Upon A Time, Maleficent puts a new spin on the titular villain from Sleeping Beauty, showing that the 'Mistress of all evil' is not as nearly as nasty as Disney's 1959 classic would have us believe. In this adaptation, Maleficent seeks revenge on the tyrannical King Stefan, but soon finds herself forming a friendship with Princess Aurora. Although Sleeping Beauty purists will despise the changes made to the characters, it is always interesting to see familiar characters get depicted in new and unusual ways, and Angelina Jolie provides an impressive portrayal of Maleficent, replicating the voice and mannerisms of Disney's iconic villain whilst taking her down a more sympathetic path. 

25 Plays, Ballets and Pantomimes To See This Christmas (Part One)

As families search for entertainment during the cold, dark winter nights, theatres seek to attract them with adaptations of classic family-friendly stories. Retellings of familiar stories can provide colourful, engaging escapism for viewers of all ages, so theatres compete to provide the most entertaining adaptations of old favourites for the stage, gaining particularly large audiences during the Christmas holidays. There are numerous interesting pieces of fairy tale theatre available this Christmas, so this list will be split into two parts. This part will focus on plays and musicals based on fairy tales and classic children's novels. Part Two, which will be published in a few days time, will focus on ballets and pantomimes...

Plays in London

London's numerous theatres are incredibly busy during Christmas, as tourists and families flock to see a wide variety of plays in the city. In addition to long-running West End favourites like Wicked, Aladdin and The Lion King, there will be a number of new family-friendly plays for audiences to enjoy this Christmas...

A Christmas Carol

Where: The Old Vic, London

When: Until 20th January

If there is one story which is synonymous with Christmas, it is A Christmas Carol, the 1843 Charles Dickens classic about the miser Ebeneezer Scrooge and the ghosts who visit him on Christmas Eve in order to make him change his ways. A Christmas Carol has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times, with Scrooge played by iconic actors such as Alister Sim, Michael Caine and Jim Broadbent. In this version from The Old Vic, Scrooge will be played by Rhys Ifans, who has starred in movies such as Notting Hill and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Ifans is under a lot of pressure to provide a memorable take on Scrooge, as this eagerly-anticipated production has been created by two of the biggest names in British Theatre - director Matthew Warchus (Matilda: The Musical) and writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). This adaptation of A Christmas Carol is going to be darker than most versions of the story (The Old Vic have recommended it for audiences aged 11 and above) but it seems like it will capture the spirit of Dickens' tale of redemption whilst doing enough to stand out in its own right.

Pinnochio

Where: The National Theatre, London

When: 1st December - 10th April

Following last year's acclaimed adaptation of Peter Pan, The National Theatre will try and gain another hit this Christmas by providing a new version of Pinnochio, with Joe Idris-Roberts as the titular wooden puppet. In order to make this production even more appealing for a family audience, they have gained the rights to use the iconic songs from the 1940 Disney adaptation, including 'I've Got No Strings', 'Give a Little Whistle', and, of course, the legendary 'When You Wish Upon A Star'. However, director John Tiffany and writer Dennis Kelly have been given the freedom to make a number of changes to the source material in order to please modern audiences. Most notably, Jiminy Cricket, the insect who serves as a voice of reason for Pinnochio, is now being played by a woman, updating a character often seen as synonymous with the conventions and values of 1940s America..

The National Theatre adaptation of Pinnochio is probably going to be a bit too scary for very young children, as some of the most horrifying scenes from the source material (such as the trip to Pleasure Island) remain intact in this version. However, it looks like it will retain the magical appeal of the Disney film whilst providing its own unique and theatrical touches. Thus, it is probably going to be a must-watch for families going to the theatre over the next few months.

The Box of Delights

Where: Wilton's Music Hall, London

When: 1st December - 6th January

Based in the East End Suburbs, Wilton's Music Hall is one of London's oldest and most fascinating theatres, having hosted shows and performances since the 19th century. This Christmas, Wilton's Music Hall is putting on an adaptation of John Masefield's classic 1935 children's novel The Box of Delights, which is a perfect fit for an old-fashioned venue with a remarkable history. The Box of Delights tells the story of a boy who meets a showman with incredible magic powers and a box which can allow people to travel through time. Although it was a sequel to Masefield's earlier book The Midnight Folk, it has become far more iconic than the original story and in 1984, it was adapted into an acclaimed television series which starred Devin Stanfield and Patrick Troughton. This version of The Box of Delights is being brought to the stage by acclaimed children's author Piers Torday and director Justin Audibert, with Matthew Kelly and Josefina Gabrielle leading the cast. If you have had enough of Central London, it is definitely worth heading to Wilton's in order to see this intriguing take on Mansfield's enthralling story.

Wilde Creatures

Where: The Vaudeville Theatre, London

When: 15th December - 31st December

The 19th century author Oscar Wilde is renowned for his witty comedic plays, such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Lady Windermere's Fan, but he also created a number of brilliant and beautiful fairy tales, including The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant. Some of these fairy tales are getting their moment in the spotlight in the show Wilde Creatures, which is being performed as part of an Oscar Wilde Season at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Wilde Creatures is an hour-long play from Tall Stories, a company which specialises in creating short plays based on children's novels such as The Gruffalo. Like their previous works, Wilde Creatures will blend music, comedy and storytelling. In the play, characters from three Oscar Wilde fairy tales (The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose and The Birthday of the Infanta) will compete to gain a statue in their honour, whilst a group of musicians (the titular Wilde Creatures) provide the narration.. Overall, Wilde Creatures looks like an excellent way of introducing young children to both the works of Oscar Wilde and the world of theatre...

Plays Outside London

Although there are plenty of great plays in London, it is incredibly insulting to reduce all British theatre to that single city. All of Britain's major villages and cities have a major theatre or two, and many of these are providing family-friendly plays and musicals just as impressive as those available in the English capital. These six plays are particularly worth seeing this Christmas, regardless of whether or not you live nearby...

Beauty and the Beast

Where: The Festival Theatre, Chichester

When: 16th December - 31st December

The most successful fairy tale film this year has been Disney's live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, which made over $1 billion and renewed interest in the 18th-century fairy tale which inspired it. Chichester Festival Youth Theatre are capitalising on this with a new and unique version of Beauty and the Beast far closer to Gabrielle-Suzanne De Villeneuve's original story than the 1991 Disney classic adapted from it. This production seems darker and more mysterious than the Disney film, as Beauty and her spoiled brothers and sisters come across the fearsome Beast, but there will be a lot for kids to enjoy as well, with Richard Taylor even creating a variety of new songs for this production. Chichester is notable for providing high-quality regional theatre, and this take on Beauty and the Beast looks like it will be a must-see for any families visiting the area this Christmas.

The Arabian Nights

Where: The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

When: Until 6th January

The winter months are especially cold in Edinburgh, but a bright and colourful play can really lift the spirits and warm the heart. This Christmas, The Royal Lyceum Theatre will be taking audiences to the heart of the Middle East with their play The Arabian Nights. In contrast to the Orientalist kitsch of Aladdin pantomimes, The Arabian Nights will provide a far more respectful take on the classic Arabian stories first collected in the 9th century, with an exciting and action-packed new narrative provided by Suhayla El-Bushra. In this play, the storyteller Scheherezade will seek to protect her world from a tyrannical sultan by telling stories ranging from familiar classics such as Aladdin and Ali Baba to more obscure and unusual tales such as The Genie, the Girl and the Chess Playing Monkey Boy. Director Joe Douglas has promised a play full of "colour, heat, magic, adventure and song", and it definitely looks like this production will provide entertainment which is colourful, unique and still perfect for Christmas...

The Jungle Book

Where: Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton

When: 28th November - 31st December

In recent years, film-makers have taken a renewed interest in Rudyard Kipling's short story collection The Jungle Book. Disney's live-action remake of their iconic 1967 adaptation was a major critical and commercial hit in 2016, and Andy Serkis' darker, more adult version of Kipling's classic is due in cinemas next year. In order to capitalise on the popularity of The Jungle Book, Olivier Award-Winning writer Jessica Swale and director Max Webster have created a new version of this iconic text for the stage. It will use the medium of theatre to put a new spin on the familiar story of Mowgli, the human boy raised by wolves in the jungle, and his battle with the sinister tiger Shere Khan. It seems like this version is closer to Kipling's universe than Disney's, but it will provide plenty of music and comedy for family audiences, with no shortage of creative special effects used to bring the animals of the jungle to life. This production will premiere in Northampton, before starting a tour of the UK in January. With its memorable characters and fascinating setting, The Jungle Book seems like it will become pretty popular with family audiences over the next few months.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Where: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

When: 29th November - 27th January

Sally Cookson has gained a reputation as one of Britain's most innovative theatre directors, thanks to her acclaimed versions of Jane Eyre and Peter Pan. This Christmas, she is heading to Leeds to direct an adaptation of the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, about four siblings who discover a mysterious world hidden behind a wardrobe. In order to satisfy the high levels of interest in Cookson's new production, The West Yorkshire Playhouse has been expanded to seat over 1000 theatregoers.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is best known for its Christian overtones, but for her version, Sally Cookson is updating the story by focusing on the development of the four protagonists, the Pevensies. They are evacuees sent to live in the countryside during World War Two, and Cookson aims to draw parallels between their experiences and those of the refugees seeking shelter in Britain today. Her production looks like it will put a new spin on the 1950 novel whilst retaining the magic and mystery which has made it into a Christmas classic...

The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales

Where: Bristol Old Vic, Bristol

When: 30th November - 14th January

After its successful run at the Globe Theatre last Christmas, The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales is touring the UK, arriving in Bristol just in time for the Christmas holidays. In this single-act play from director Emma Rice and writer Joel Horwood, Hans Christian Andersen's bleak yet beautiful fairy tale The Little Matchgirl is used as a framing story, with the impoverished titular protagonist using her last remaining matches to conjure up visions of Ole Shuteye, who tries to keep her entertained by telling her the stories of Thumbelina, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Princess and the Pea. The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales has been praised for its creative visuals and puppetry, and its success at balancing the tragedy of The Little Matchgirl with the more upbeat and comedic tone of the tales which accompany it. The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales is highly recommended for any families seeking a more mature (yet still child-friendly) alternative to the traditional Christmas theatre...

Treasure Island

Where: The New Vic, Newcastle-Under-Lyme

When: Until 27th January

The New Vic, based in the Staffordshire suburb of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, is famous for its "in-the-round" stage, which engages the audience by allowing them to see the action from all sides. Their Christmas play this year is a take on the Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island , with the 1883 novel about pirates and the search for buried treasure being turned into an exciting play full of adventure and swordfights. The overwhelmingly masculine source material is being updated for a more diverse audience, with several key characters reimagined as females. For example, protagonist Jim Hawkins is now called Jem and played by Nisa Cole. However, this adaptation will stay true to the heart of Treasure Island, as Jem's coming-of-age and her friendship with the mysterious Long John Silver will remain key elements of the story. Blending the traditional thrills of Stevenson's tale with a new modern and progressive approach, this take on Treasure Island looks like it will provide the bright and colourful escapism needed during the long and cold winter nights.