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Disney On Ice takes Frozen from the screen to ice

Screen Shot 2016-05-12 at 10.05.39Frozen Frenzy is expected to hit the North East as Disney On Ice announces the theme of this year’s autumn ice extravaganza, the academy award-winning and number-one-animated feature film of all time – Frozen.
 
With Disney On Ice presents Frozen, coming to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena in October, producers Kenneth Feld and Nicole Feld have transitioned the universally popular box office smash-hit to ice in a brilliant reimagining of the heartwarming tale of sisters Anna and Elsa, who embark on an extraordinary journey to save their kingdom, and discover that the power of true love and friendship will always triumph. 
 
“With Disney On Ice presents Frozen, Feld Entertainment is raising the bar for family entertainment,” says Kenneth Feld. “Complementing a storyline that transcends generations and an identifiable musical score are new and innovative production elements that transpire seamlessly in a very fluid manner that captivates the audience.”
 
In order to authentically recreate the award-winning, animated feature live, the father-daughter producer team turned to the talents of Director Patty Vincent and a creative team of scenic and choreographic experts to illustrate the retelling ofFrozen in a way that would engage audiences and resonate in the same manner as the motion picture.
 
 “While structuring the balance of proper lighting, costume and stage design and choreography, we knew that the story, characters and music were the real stars of the show. Everything else needed to enhance, not detract from their essence,” says Director Patty Vincent. “Disney On Ice presents Frozen is a coming-of-age story that depicts the complex relationship of two sisters searching to find their identities and courage, while demonstrating that love comes in a variety of forms.”
 
By engineering a living set that moves and interacts with the performers, the show’s creative team elevates audiences to the North Mountain with theatrical effects; including varying degrees of snow (flurries to an actual blizzard). This, along with the geographic details that complement each set piece, brings the story to spectacular life, as the audience tangibly feels Anna’s heroic journey to calm the storm inside Elsa.   
 
Nicole Feld adds:
 “In our 35-year history of producing Disney On Ice, Feld Entertainment has been waiting for this film. And personally, as someone who has sisters, this story has taken on even more meaning and a desire to create an experience for families around the world that does justice to the characters they know and love.”
 
In working alongside a narrative that has become a global phenomenon, Choreographer Cindy Stuart relied on the musical score and direction of the filmmakers to capture each pinnacle moment and emotion. From the excitement and liberation of Anna in “For the First Time in Forever,” to the sweeping waltz at the coronation ball, Stuart fluidly moves the plot along by showcasing movements that are powerful, intricate and elegant.
 
 “My vision in choreographing Disney On Ice presents Frozen was to keep true to the story while allowing some artistic license to present the characters in a way that would translate well for the ice.” says Stuart. “In defining Elsa’s movement, I favored long lines and delicate shapes to convey her restraint of power and tentative nature, whereas Anna is spritely and naïvely optimistic, so her movements are more youthful and light.”
 
Enhancing Stuart’s choreography are the playfully ornate and colorful masterpieces of Costume Designer Greg Poplyk. Joining the creative team from a career on Broadway, Poplyk adds flair to the iconic garments worn by Anna and Elsa, while threading through subtleties in the ensemble’s attire to heighten the awareness of Arendelle’s eternal winter.
 
 “Colors are used very intentionally in this show.” says Poplyk. “When you see the villagers in their costumes in the beginning, they have a very earthy pallet, with ‘pops’ of color to give the appearance of springtime and summer. As Elsa’s powers go awry and Arendelle freezes over, the brightness of the bodices and vests are covered with dimmer materials and act as a metaphor for darkness being cast upon the land.”   
 
Lighting Designer Sam Doty also played a key role in the kingdom’s temperature through his recreation of the multitude of icy textures and layered lighting looks, from depicting a tropical paradise for Olaf’s reverie of ‘In Summer,’ to the extreme snowstorms when Elsa is scared or distressed. Rather than focusing on blues and whites to deliver the ‘Frozen look,’ he gauged the varying degrees of emotional warmth communicated throughout the story and took advantage of cheerful moments to use warm light.  
 
Elsa’s beloved ‘Let It Go’ solo delivers one of the most dreamlike and commanding moments of the show.  Conceptualized early in the creative process, Nicole Feld knew that the movie’s most popular ballad needed to represent the centerpiece of the production, and meet the expectations of her toughest critic — her three-year-old daughter, Piper. With the help of Scenic Designer Steve Bass and his completely transformative set, Elsa constructs her ice palace in a flurry of snowfall, light, theatrical effects and exquisitely composed edgework.
“For me, this is the ‘wow’ moment of the production!” says Bass. “Using Elsa’s ‘signature snowflake’ as a chandelier piece in conjunction with the high-definition video canopy throughout the production, allows us to hide the ice palace in plain sight, giving the audience a stunning visual that coincides with the song’s growth.”
 
To highlight the emotional undertones of the movie, the show also brings together a cavalcade of famous Disney duos and trios. Timon and Pumbaa of Disney’s The Lion King and Marlin, Nemo and Dory from Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo, join Disney Princesses (Ariel, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White) and their princes in a high-energy celebration of friendship and affection.
 
“We really wanted all of the scenery to have a whimsical feeling to it.” says Nicole Feld. “From Elsa’s ice palace to the comedic antics of Olaf, the entire production brings the animation to life in a way that will enthrall audiences everywhere.”

Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and a parade of favourite Disney characters as they gather to welcome royal sisters Anna and Elsa in an epic tale of how a sibling’s love and compassion can conquer fear. With a soundtrack that inspires young and old to sing and dance along, Disney On Ice presents Frozen transports audiences to a wintry and spellbinding world. Interactive antics of friends – like the hilarious snowman Olaf; rugged mountain man Kristoff; his loyal reindeer Sven, and the mystical trolls – accompany a clever and spectacular array of special effects and a projection canopy that lights the ice with Elsa’s power, making Disney On Ice presents Frozen the must-see magical event of the season.
 
Disney On Ice presents Frozen
Metro Radio Arena
Newcastle upon Tyne
19 – 23 October 2016
Ticket Hotline: 0844 493 6666
 
Twitter (@DisneyOnIce and @NicoleFeld (show’s producer twitter feed))

By admin