Frozen Musical Sydney adds extra performances for 2021 school holidays
With extra Frozen the musical matinees put on for the school holidays, we take a look at how Sven the reindeer’s elaborate costume comes together. See the video.
Arts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Arts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Endearingly loyal with big melting eyes, Sven the reindeer is a hairy highlight of Frozen, Disney’s hit Broadway musical now playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
With the producers adding extra matinees during the upcoming school holidays, more kids are set to fall for the reindeer’s charms.
But bringing Sven to life is not for snowflakes, according to the Central Coast performer who is strapped, zipped and laced into Sven’s costume four times a week.
Lachlan McIntyre, 20, of Lake Haven, pulls together all his dance, circus and acrobatic skills every time he steps on stage as Sven.
“I phrased it like this to one of my old teachers: the strength of acrobatics and the creativity of dance both come into play,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre alternates in the role with Jonathan MacMillan. Each performer has his own Sven costume and The Daily Telegraph had a sneak peek at just how it goes on.
McIntyre sat on a stool in Lycra top and pants with protective gloves and knee pads on.
Two skilled dressers followed a set procedure. First, they strapped on special “shanks” that turned McIntyre’s feet into hind lower legs and hoofs.
Next, Sven’s body was buckled on and zipped up.
McIntyre then slid his arms into metal “stilts”, which became Sven’s long front legs. These were covered with a furry overlay.
Finally, Sven’s big shaggy head, with a fitted inner moulding, was carefully lowered on to McIntyre’s head. The headpiece was clipped on, and a mesh screen was draped over McIntyre’s face so he could see out.
So strenuous is the role that Sven is never on stage for more than 14 minutes at a time.
McIntyre has dedicated his performances to his supporters, particularly his grandmother, Jackie McIntyre, who died just weeks before he won the role of Sven.
“It hurts a little bit, knowing how much she would have enjoyed it,” McIntyre said.
“But it also gives me a bit of soul to do it justice, as well.”
When he was very young and told people he wanted to be a performer, most people told McIntyre to “have a plan B” or “not put all your eggs in one basket”.
“Everyone gave me that spiel except her,” he said.
“She was just like, ‘all right, do it well, then’. I never had to prove anything to her. That’s special.”
Frozen also stars Courtney Monsma as Anna, Jemma Rix as Elsa, Matt Lee as Olaf, Thomas McGuane as Hans, Sean Sinclair as Kristoff and Aljin Abella as Weselton.