Frozen Comes to Life at Ellowes Hall Sports College: One of Only 11 Schools Worldwide Chosen by Disney

Ellowes Hall Sports College Stages Spectacular Full-Length Production of Disney’s Frozen

Ellowes Hall Sports College, part of the Invictus Education Trust, is proud to announce the phenomenal success of its recent production of Disney’s Frozen, performed in June 2025 to sell-out audiences. Ellowes was one of only eleven schools across the UK – and one of just a handful globally outside the United States – to be granted exclusive performance rights to stage the full-length version of the hit musical.

This unprecedented opportunity was made possible through a nationwide competition launched in April 2024 by Music Theatre International (MTI) in partnership with Disney. The initiative coincided with the West End closure of Frozen in September 2024, after which the show would no longer be available for general licensing for several years due to a planned tour in 2026. A similar programme was run in the United States in 2023, but the UK version marked a historic first for schools outside of America.

In May 2024, Mr Bailey, Assistant Headteacher at Ellowes Hall Sports College, submitted the school’s application, responding to a series of questions about student involvement beyond performance, community outreach, inclusivity, and the transformative power of theatre in education. In August 2024, the Academy received confirmation that it had been selected as the winning school from the Midlands region – a moment of immense pride and excitement.

Despite preparing a major production of Oliver! for November 2024, the school embraced the challenge of staging Frozen the following June. Auditions commenced in January 2025, leading to a double cast and a core team of dancers. A remarkable 88 students performed on stage, supported by over 20 students in backstage, design, and technical roles. Creative efforts included the construction of intricate props and puppets, including the much-loved characters Sven the reindeer and Olaf the snowman – some of which were built in-house and others kindly loaned by Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA).

From March 2025 onwards, students and staff worked tirelessly after school, during holidays, and on weekends to bring the production to life. Five sold-out performances were staged during the week commencing Monday 30th June, each one met with resounding acclaim from audiences, parents, and the wider community.

Mr Bailey commented:"This has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and a landmark moment for our school. The students have grown in confidence, developed new friendships, and learned the value of commitment and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved."

The success of Frozen has not only raised the profile of performing arts at Ellowes Hall Sports College but has also further reinforced Invictus’ commitment to enriching student experiences through the arts and community engagement.

Phillipa Harris, the Deputy CEO of Invictus Education Trust stated: “We are absolutely thrilled at the incredible success of Ellowes Hall Sports College’s production of Frozen.  The students and staff have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, talent and teamwork, from the enchanting performances on stage to the ingenuity behind the scenes. This production not only entertained and inspired our community but also highlighted the transformative power of the arts in education. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved – they truly brought magic to life!”