St Christopher's CE High School and Sixth Form dazzled local audiences this March with an enchanting production of Frozen: The West End Musical. The show, which ran for four nights, showcased the immense talent of both pupils from the main school and students from the sixth form, leaving the audience spellbound with their exceptional performances.
“Winning the United Kingdom of Frozen Competition and representing the North West in the first staging of the full musical has been an exciting and rewarding experience for all. Huge amounts of hard work from everyone involved. When we stage a musical I have a picture in my head of how the show should look in performance and this amazing cast and crew realised that! What fantastic performances they were from our phenomenal cast”. (Helen Davies, Director and Musical Director)
The school hall was transformed into the magical kingdom of Arendelle, where the beloved story of sisters Anna and Elsa unfolded with stunning visuals, vibrant costumes, and breathtaking musical numbers. The production captured the essence of Disney’s beloved tale, bringing heart, humour, and wonder to the stage through its message of ‘Love is an Open Door’.
A Cast Full of Talent
The lead roles were portrayed with remarkable maturity and flair. Elsa (Ellie Campbell, Lower Sixth), whose struggle to embrace her icy powers was portrayed with passion and vulnerability, captivated the audience with powerful renditions of “Let It Go and Dangerous to Dream.” Anna’s (Darcy Tayler, Upper Sixth) infectious energy and determination brought warmth and humour to the stage with a wonderful performance of “For the First Time in Forever, creating a heart-warming contrast to her sister’s icy isolation.
Ellie (Elsa) in Lower Sixth said “Frozen has given me an opportunity to make new friends and grow both as a person and performer. I hope that I can inspire another generation of performers through my chance to play such a role model. There is so much to learn from this musical and love really is an open door!”
Supporting characters, including the charming Kristoff (Tobyn Thorpe, Upper Sixth), the lovable Olaf (Jacob Hacking, Upper Sixth), the loving Queen Iduna (Isobel Smith, Upper Sixth the funny Oaken (Josiah Finn, Lower Sixth) and the mischievous, (or could he be evil?) Prince Hans (Sebastian Bernabe, Upper Sixth), added depth and comic relief, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained. The roles of Young Elsa (Sophie Charnley, Year 7 and Megan Burgoyne, Year 7) along with Young Anna (Elizabeth Clarke, Year 7 and Jessica Philps, Year 7) were sung superbly. The cast’s chemistry from principals to chorus to dancers had a passion evident in every scene, making it clear how much dedication and hard work had gone into the production.
Bringing Arendelle to Life
The behind-the-scenes crew also played a crucial role in making the production a success. The creative team delivered dazzling stage effects, seamless scene transitions, and vibrant costumes that added authenticity to the story. The lighting and sound effects were expertly managed, enhancing the emotional and magic moments and adding excitement to the high-energy musical numbers.
A special mention goes to the school’s music department, whose work with the talented young performers ensured that each note was pitch-perfect and each harmony flawless. The choreography, which included complex ensemble sequences, was executed with precision and energy, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Community Pride and Praise
Parents, staff, and members of the local community filled the hall each evening, showing their support and admiration for the young performers. Many attendees commented on the professionalism of the production, with some even comparing it to performances seen on professional stages.
“The cast was phenomenal,” said one parent. “The passion and talent on display were incredible. It’s amazing to see such dedication from the students, and the end result was magical!”
A Memorable Experience for All
A Memorable Experience for All
The success of Frozen: The West End Musical was not only a testament to the talent and hard work of all the pupils and students but also highlighted the school’s commitment to fostering creativity and providing opportunities for young people to shine through music and performing arts. For the pupils and students involved, the experience will undoubtedly leave lasting memories and a sense of pride in their achievement.
As the final curtain fell after four unforgettable nights, the applause echoed as a celebration of the hard work, teamwork, and boundless creativity that brought the magic of Frozen to life at St Christopher's CE High School and Sixth Form.
We’d also like to thank Harry Emberton (Lower Sixth) for providing the amazing lighting and John Ormerod for sound and sound effects, the professional musicians who formed the orchestra alongside some of our own musicians, Clive Lawrence for the professional photographs and to our sponsors (The Little Stage Company, Ashleigh’s Dance and Theatre Academy, Let’s Go Physio, Cranberry Coachways, Blackburn Cathedral, Burnley Light Opera Society, Act One Beginners, Stratus 9 Consulting, Moving People, Mrs Dowsons and the Friends of St Christopher’s) for their support.