As the Disney blockbuster ends its three-year run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, actor Samantha Barks pays tribute to its devoted audience *
Sometimes it has been a flurry and at others a blizzard. For three years theatregoers dressed in shades of Elsa blue have descended on Covent Garden for Disney’s blockbuster stage musical Frozen. On Sunday, it finally came to an end as the guards opened up the gates of London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane for two final performances, at 1pm and 5.30pm.
“There are going to be tears,” actor Samantha Barks admitted before the shows. Barks plays Elsa, the princess with icy powers, and is one of many in the cast and crew who have been with the production since 2021. “When I got this job I was in my 20s,” she said. “Then we had the pandemic [which delayed the opening], I got married, I had a baby … Personally, this time has been so special.” Although “incredibly sad” that Frozen was finishing, Barks added: “I don’t feel I’ll ever really say goodbye to this character because it’s such a part of me now … I’m so proud of us all – it’s a huge achievement.”
Sometimes it has been a flurry and at others a blizzard. For three years theatregoers dressed in shades of Elsa blue have descended on Covent Garden for Disney’s blockbuster stage musical Frozen. On Sunday, it finally came to an end as the guards opened up the gates of London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane for two final performances, at 1pm and 5.30pm.
“There are going to be tears,” actor Samantha Barks admitted before the shows. Barks plays Elsa, the princess with icy powers, and is one of many in the cast and crew who have been with the production since 2021. “When I got this job I was in my 20s,” she said. “Then we had the pandemic [which delayed the opening], I got married, I had a baby … Personally, this time has been so special.” Although “incredibly sad” that Frozen was finishing, Barks added: “I don’t feel I’ll ever really say goodbye to this character because it’s such a part of me now … I’m so proud of us all – it’s a huge achievement.”
Speaking on stage after the final performance, producer Thomas Schumacher hailed the “miracle-makers” who have worked on Frozen. He described the cast as “athletes” and recognised in particular the work of the swings who are ready to step into a role at short notice. “You can’t imagine what it’s like for them. Sometimes they know a week ahead, sometimes they know five minutes ahead, sometimes it’s in the middle of Act Two. They are prepared to go on and take care of everybody else who is around them. And that is really extraordinary.”
The swings were called on stage for the final bows, accompanied by members of the orchestra, the stage crew, the chaperones for the show’s youngest actors and many others who work backstage including from the wardrobe and hair and makeup departments. More than 150 costumes and about 75 wigs are seen during the course of each performance.
Barks highlighted that the “Frozen family” included the show’s devoted audiences. During the star’s first year in the production, one fan saw her play Elsa 90 times. In previous acting roles, she has tried “not to focus too much on seeing the audience – it could make you nervous or take you out of the moment in a dramatic scene”. But Frozen has been different. “During Let It Go I always see the audience.” That number involves a spectacular transformation for her character and was met with a standing ovation on Sunday. “When the dress changes magically before their eyes, you can see them go: ‘oooh!’ That’s such a special thing to get to do as my job,” said Barks. “During the bows, I always see all the Elsas. During some scenes, kids will hold up their Elsa dolls. Every single little Elsa, Anna and Olaf in the audience are part of what makes the show so special.”
From the stage, the audience can resemble “a sea of blue sequins”, said Barks. Sunday was no exception. Tamara, one of many adult theatregoers wearing a blue dress, had already seen Frozen twice: “I love Disney and I think the music is just incredible. It sends shivers up your spine. And I think it works equally as well for adults as it does for kids.” Like many, she was surprised that the show is ending but said: “I know that they’re bringing in Hercules [next summer]. Another Disney. And mind you, it’s best to go out on a high, isn’t it?” Many fans had assumed the musical would run and run, such is the ongoing success of the film franchise, although Theatre Royal Drury Lane does have one of Theatreland’s biggest capacities, with almost 2,200 seats to fill.
Cris was on his first visit to London from Belfast, with his husband, Ornaaron, for a weeklong theatre break including visits to the West End hits Mrs Doubtfire and Stranger Things. Cris already knew all the songs from the 2013 film of Frozen while Ornaaron – who bought them last-night tickets as a surprise – said he was “not as well versed” and had just seen the film a couple of times. “I know Let It Be,” he said, before breaking out in laughter. “Wait, Let It Go!”
Maz from Eastbourne had come with her young niece, Jessica, who was dressed as Olaf, the cheery snowman fond of warm hugs. It was Maz’s second time at the show. They came in April and wanted to return for the special atmosphere of the final performance.
Aimee and Beth were on a day trip from Liverpool and had first seen Frozen in the month it opened in 2021. Barks gives “a phenomenal performance” as Elsa, they agreed. “We’ve seen it five times and I’m still blown away by it,” said Aimee. “So fingers crossed for a UK tour at some point in the future.” Aimee, dressed in a Let It Go jacket, said she had two sisters and that the musical is special for the way it depicts the bond between siblings Elsa and Anna. (Barks herself has a sister and they both loved the film – “that’s why it’s so special that I got to play it”.)
Tiaras, faux fur cuffs and Disney mouse-ear headbands were all worn by fans on Sunday, with one adult resplendent in a full Kristoff outfit including tunic and boots. Elsa was the most popular costume in the audience but three-year-old Remi had come as Anna, her favourite character. Remi had been waiting “for weeks and weeks” to see the show for the first time with Mum and Nana, who had originally planned to bring her at Christmas then booked for the final night instead when they found out the musical was closing.
Frozen’s North American tour also came to an end this month but the full-length musical will soon be presented by a number of UK schools who have won the stage rights through a competition run by Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Group. While it may not be the last time in forever for the musical, audiences were clearly feeling all the emotions when the Sunday night performance of Michael Grandage’s production ended with the ringing of a prop bell installed decades ago at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. More than one Frozen fan appeared to have something in their eye and it wasn’t just from the final fall of fake snow.
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* Article originally published via LTD
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