I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I mean we've watched the film a million times at home and my two girls know the words to most of the songs. They sing along without the film even being on for goodness sake. So why go to a theatre to watch it on the big screen, surrounded by hundreds of other kids, all dressed up, all singing... That pretty much sums up my expectation as we left home with a small Elsa and a smaller Anna excited in their princess dresses.

What I hadn't twigged was the precision planning of the participation. Each girl received a bag of props (what are props, mummy?!) and we made our way into the packed theatre. I won't spoil the surprise of what props and why, but the many, many small princesses and snowmen in the audience were ably guided through their use by 'apprentice princesses' Annie and Ellie. I'm not sure how much the extra participation was needed, but it lent a nice familiar panto feel to the show and certainly had the volume raised with encouragement for Sven, boos for the baddies and cheers for Christoph. The actors on stage performing some songs in front of the film screen worked beautifully. I'll admit I wondered at times why not do a full stage version, but really the backdrop of familiarity with the film was pretty important to the young audience.

Now the practical stuff: almost all the kids were dressed up, but as a last minute save, there are masks on sale. There is an interval halfway through. We (somehow) made it to the loos before most of the 5000 Elsa/Annas however, the ice cream queue was long!

If you've never seen the film before, this isn't the show for you. I once went to a pantomime with friends from overseas and their incredulous looks throughout would probably be repeated here by a Frozen newby. From the outset, the hostess princesses assumed (rightly) that the audience knew the outcome of the film. But if you or your kids enjoy the film and love belting out 'Let It Go', the Sing-a-long-a version adds a real magic sparkle, a lot of fun and (if you're near enough the front) a dash of indoor snow!

The five year old's verdict:

It was perfect. I felt really special watching the film at the theatre and I loved cheering really loud. We all froze when Anna did and that was very funny.