School granted rights for Frozen's West End show

A secondary school in Devon has won a competition to be allowed to put on a West End Disney musical as its end-of-year performance.

St Cuthbert Mayne, in Torquay, is one of 11 nationwide to be given the rights to Frozen, and the only one south west of Bristol.

Head of performing arts at the school Jon Waterworth said the school was "buzzing" with excitement for the performances near the end of May.

He said: "It's given the kids a lot more confidence, thinking they can achieve something like this. The kudos and the support has been amazing."

There are almost 100 students in the cast and crew from across year groups.

For 13-year-old Finlay, this is his first lead role in a musical. He is playing Kristoff.

He said: "With everything that we have going on, the huge scaffolds that have been put up, it makes you feel like you are on a real West End or Broadway stage."

Fifteen-year-old Jack, who is playing the villain, Hans, said: "We're doing a proper West End show. It's surreal."

The lead princesses are being played by Alessia, 14, and Julia, 15.

They said the songs being so well-known was a lot of pressure and they were hard songs to sing, but they wanted to do their best for all the children in the audience.

The show is opening doors for pupils in other roles as well.

Chloe, 15, is in charge of costumes and, with quick changes and complicated pieces, she said it was a thrill to be part of.

Dance captain Yvie, 15, said: "I've never thought about being behind the scenes, but working with Chloe and figuring out what choreography is needed for quick changes is really challenging but really fun."

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