Everything you need to know about Disney's ‘Frozen’ in London

Sophie Thomas29 July, 2021, 00:00

The Disney song "Let It Go" popularised Frozen as a 21st century cultural phenomenon. The 2013 film Frozen is not only one of the best-selling films of all time — it's also an epic Disney musical that transforms the West End into an icy haven.

The Frozen musical brings the Disney characters Anna and lovable snowman Olaf to life, trying to save Arendelle from a lifetime of non-stop winter. There's an exciting score by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and incredible costume changes that defy belief. Here's our complete guide to the West End production of Frozen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

What is Frozen the Musical about?

The Frozen story is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's 19th-century fairytale, The Snow Queen. However it's been re-energised with a Disney twist, and the Frozen musical retells the story as made famous in the Frozen film.

At the start of Frozen, audiences meet a young Elsa and Anna. They're two princesses living in a castle, and life should be full of fun and frivolity. But Elsa discovers she has powers that mean anything she touches can turn to ice. Growing up, Elsa conceals her icy abilities but it's difficult to do so on her coronation day, when she's passed a sceptre. How does Elsa deal with this? She runs away to her own ice castle, with Arendelle plundered to its own ice age.

Straight away, younger sister Anna sets out to rescue her sister and save the kingdom. She can't do it alone though, and she's joined by iceman Kristoff, Sven the reindeer and Olaf the snowman to battle through the snowstorm. Can Elsa and Anna be reunited, or will their worlds be frozen forever?

Where is Frozen the Musical playing?

Frozen The Musical is at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Theatre Royal Drury Lane is located in Covent Garden. Opening in 1812, Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the oldest theatre in London. Previous musicals at Theatre Royal Drury Lane include 42nd Street, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Shrek the Musical.

How long is Frozen the Musical?

Frozen The Musical has a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 20 minute interval. Find out more about running times of West End shows.

What days is Frozen the Musical playing?

Frozen The Musical plays eight performances a week at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Evening performances are on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and matinee performances are on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For the complete performance schedule and show times, please visit the Frozen the Musical page

Is the Frozen musical the same as the Frozen film?

The Frozen musical and the Frozen film follow the same storyline. So if you've seen the Frozen film, you'll have a good idea on what to expect from the Frozen musical. But with new songs added into the Frozen musical, let the storm rage on and step into Arendelle.

When did Frozen the Musical premiere?

The world premiere of Frozen took place at the Buell Theatre in Denver, Colorado, and was billed as a pre-Broadway tryout. Frozen was in Colorado from 17 August - 1 Oct. 2017, and then came to Broadway the following year.

Frozen previews on Broadway began at the St. James Theatre on 22 Feb. 2018, ahead of an official Broadway opening on 22 Mar. 2018. Frozen then ran at the St. James Theatre to 11 Mar. 2020 — the musical forced to suspend performances due to the pandemic, and did not reopen.

Who wrote Frozen the Musical?

Jennifer Lee writes the Frozen musical, following her work on the Frozen and Frozen II film stories. The American screenwriter also made history with Frozen, as she was the first female director of an animated Disney feature film. Aside from Frozen, Lee also wrote the stories of Disney films Wreck It Ralph and Zootopia.

The Frozen music and lyrics are by husband-and-wife duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. Together, they've collaborated on projects including Coco, Frozen films and original music used in WandaVision. Robert Lopez is currently the youngest EGOT winner of all time, having won Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and Tony Awards. He's also the first person to achieve EGOT status twice over.

What songs are in Frozen the Musical?

You'll definitely know some of the Frozen songs. The biggest hits from the Frozen film, including "For The First Time in Forever" and "Love is an Open Door" are in the Frozen musical. But there's also a few new songs in the Frozen show which you may not have heard of before. Here are all the Frozen songs:

Act 1

"Vuelie" - Company
"Let the Sun Shine On" - Young Anna, Young Elsa, King, Queen and Townspeople
"A Little Bit of You" - Young Elsa and Young Anna
"Hidden Folk" - Queen, Pabbie, Young Elsa, King and Company
"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" - Young Anna, Anna and Elsa
"For the First Time in Forever" - Anna, Elsa and Townspeople
"Hans of the Southern Isles" - Hans
"Dangerous to Dream" - Elsa and Townspeople
"Love Is an Open Door" - Anna and Hans
"Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People" - Kristoff
"What Do You Know About Love?" - Anna and Kristoff
"In Summer" - Olaf
"Hans of the Southern Isles" (reprise) - Hans, Weselton and Townspeople
"Let It Go" - Elsa

Act 2

"Hygge" - Oaken, Kristoff, Anna, Olaf, Family and Friends
"I Can't Lose You"∞ - Anna and Elsa
"Fixer Upper" - Bulda, Pabbie, Olaf and Hidden Folk
"Kristoff Lullaby" - Kristoff
"Monster" - Elsa, Hans and Men
"Hans of the Southern Isles" (reprise 2) - Hans and Anna
"True Love" - Anna
"Colder by the Minute" - Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Hans and Townspeople
"Finale: Let It Go" (reprise) - Company

Who is in the Frozen the Musical cast in London?

Samantha Barks leads the Frozen London company as Elsa. Samantha Barks returns to the West End in Frozen, having previously played Vivian in Pretty Woman: The Musical on Broadway. She's joined by Emily Lane as Anna, Djavan van der Fliert as Kristoff, Oliver Ormson as Hans, Craig Gallivan as Olaf, Richard Frame as Weselton, and Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall alternating the role of Sven. Find out more about the Frozen West End cast.

The Frozen cast is completed by Rhianne Alleyne, Jeremy Batt, Danny Becker, Marianne Bardgett, Rebecca Botterill, Char Burnett, Collette Coleman, Davide Fienauri, Laura Emmitt, Jemal Felix, Jordan Fox, Molly Francis, Matt Gillett, Harriet Samuels, Isabella Glanznig Santos, Ben Irish, Justin-Lee Jones,Aoife Kenny, Jordan Livesey, Joshua Robinson, Jacqui Sanchez, Jak Skelly, Kerry Spark, Caitlin Tipping, Rodney Vubya, Anna Woodside, and Luke Fraser Yates.

How to get Frozen the Musical tickets

Frozen transforms the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane into a winter wonderland. Experience the Disney magic in the West End and book Frozen tickets to guarantee your visit to Arendelle.