Hull Truck Theatre – until Sunday 31st December 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
Hull Truck Theatre presents Princess and the Frog. Written and Directed by Hull Truck Theatre’s Associate Director Tom Saunders.
This morning at Hull Truck Theatre I had the pleasure of watching this excellent production of Princess and the Frog. Aimed at a younger audience it tells the story of Princess Lily (Petra Joan-Athene) who is 6 years old and lives in the Castle with her Mum, The Queen (voiced by Rachel Dale). Now Lily is lonely and really wants a friend to play with but as her Mum doesn’t let any other children into the palace finding a friend is hard. On the day of the Castle Ball, Lily is in the garden and she sees a shooting star and wishes that she has someone to talk to. She meets Frog (Jason Connor) makes a wish and suddenly Frog starts to talk! Lily then goes hunting for Christmas presents, bringing back a present that really looks like a football, playing with it she drops it into the pond. Frog rescues it for her and when Lily kisses him on the head as a thank you, he turns into a human boy! Lily and the Frog then go to the Castle Ball. The Frog isn’t supposed to be there as the Queen doesn’t like children but him and Lily can’t resist dancing and having a good time. When the Queen phones Lily, as she can’t find her in the palace, she tells the Frog how pleased she was that Lily looks happy and says that he is welcome back anytime. Frog really wants to be turned back into a Frog and Princess Lily has to keep her dress clean and her hair neat, as her Mum has told her she should but when she starts the snow machine does this happen? I wonder if it will!!
This was a brilliant show, there was great music (composed by Joe Roper) a fabulous Frog puppet (Made by Liz Dees) and a stunning set and costumes (Amy Watts). This would be an ideal first show for young children it is set at just the right level and show length (45 minutes). I was very impressed with the pre-show information that was e-mailed beforehand as well, which included Social Stories and in-depth descriptions of what happened in the show, so it was inclusive to the theatre goers.
This show is definitely worth the 5 stars I have given it and I would think that the very appreciative audience might think so as well!!