FAIR CITY actor Stephanie McKeown has landed a leading role in the West End production of the Disney mega-hit Frozen which opens in London later this year.
The Dublin-born star, who gained a BA in Drama and Theatre studies at Trinity College, will play the role of Anna, alongside Samantha Barks as Elsa, Disney Theatrical Productions has announced.
The pair will lead the cast when the show makes its British debut at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane later this year.
Owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the theatre plans to open in November, with tickets for the musical now on sale and previews scheduled from October 30.
Michael Grandage, who will direct the production, said: “Frozen tells the story of two extraordinary women and we’re thrilled to have found Samantha and Stephanie who will bring their incredible talent to the roles of Elsa and Anna, allowing us to create a production of Frozen especially for London.
“Now more than ever, we’re looking forward to the day we can all get together in a rehearsal room to bring their story to the stage.”
The musical - produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher - first opened on Broadway in March 2018 where it was later nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical.
In addition to its opening in London, the show recently embarked on a North American tour, and new productions will open in Australia, Japan, and Hamburg.
McKeown, who held the recurring role of ‘Aisling’ in Fair City before leaving Ireland and heading for the British capital, recently appeared as Cynthia Weil in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Alywych Theatre.
Prior to that she made her West End debut as Natalie in the original cast of The Commitments, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Lloyd Webber’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is owned and managed by his LW Theatres company, is closed until autumn 2020 for a landmark £60million restoration project which includes the reconstruction of the stage facilities and dressing rooms, the creation of new bars and a restaurant, plus the refashioning of the auditorium to make it able to play in both the traditional proscenium arch and in the round.
When it reopens for Frozen previews in October the venue will be renamed ‘The Lane’, with its front of house facilities open to the public all day so the theatre can be explored by all - not just those headed to a show.
