Disney has finally found its leading ladies with Samantha Barks as Elsa and Stephanie McKleod as Anna for their upcoming West End production of 'Frozen'. In response to the news, Barks posted the following on Instagram:
A Tale of Two Sisters
Samantha Barks was first discovered at 17 in the BBC reality talent show 'I'd Do Anything', auditioning for the role of Nancy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of 'Oliver!' and finishing in third place. She has gone on to star in numerous West End and UK productions including 'Cabaret', 'The Last Five Years' and 'City of Angels'.
Her most notable role came in 2010 when she was cast as Eponine in the long-running musical 'Les Miserables', reprising the role in the 25th Anniversary celebration at the O2 Arena and the Academy Award winning Film adaptation directed by Tom Hooper in 2012. Barks was last seen making her Broadway debut as Vivian Ward in the stage adaptation of the 1990 film 'Pretty Woman'.
Stephanie McKeod was trained at the Trinity College in her hometown of Dublin. She made her acting debut as Aisling in the long-running soap 'Fair City' before transitioning into Theatre across Ireland including 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Anglo: The Musical' and 'Cinderella'. She made her West End debut originating 'Natalie' in 'The Commitments directed by Jamie Lloyd.
She's also sung for television shows including 'Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway', 'The Late Show' and 'This Morning' and collaborated with musicians like Burt Bacharach and Westlife. McKeod most recently appeared on-stage as Cynthia Weil in the West End production of 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical'.
The Cold Never Bothered Them Anyway
'Frozen' is due to open on October 30th 2020 at the revamped Theatre Royal, Drury Lane following its £60 million renovation. It will be directed by Michael Grandage ('Guys & Dolls,' 'Evita') with its book written by the film's director Jennifer Lee, music and lyrics by Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez ('Book of Mormon', 'Avenue Q') and costume and set designs by Christopher Oram ('The Seagull,' 'A Streetcar Named Desire').
Further casting is to be announced.
The stage production of 'Frozen' first opened on Broadway on March 22nd 2018 at the St. James Theatre starring Caissie Levy as Elsa and Patti Murin as Anna. The show garnered three Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Jennifer Lee and Best Music and Lyrics for the Lopezes. A US Tour opened in Schenectady, New York in November 2019 and upcoming productions are due to open in Japan, Hamburg and Australia in 2021.
'Frozen' Fever
The Disney film 'Frozen' was released on November 22nd 2013 and was co-directed by the aforementioned Jennifer Lee alongside Chris Buck. The film garnered critical acclaim and won numerous accolades, including a BAFTA, two Golden Globes and two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for 'Let It Go.' A smash hit for Disney, the film spawned animated spin-offs, merchandise, and a devoted fandom.
A theatrical sequel was released on November 22nd 2019 and became the highest grossing animated film of all time, earning $1.450 billion. It garnered an Academy Award nomination for the song 'Into the Unknown'.
Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy-tale 'The Snow Queen', 'Frozen' follows the relationship between princesses Anna and Elsa, the latter having the ability to manipulate ice and show. When Elsa's powers are exposed at her kingdom, she flees from her kingdom and causes an eternal winter. Wanting to set things right, Anna goes on an adventure with ice-man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven and the summer obsessed snowman Olaf.
