Frozen the Musical costumes revealed ahead of Sydney shows

Frozen is not only known for its catchy songs but for its amazing costumes as well — all 440 of them which were specially made for the musical set to hit Sydney next month.

When Broadway’s Frozen the Musical opens at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre next month, one of the most dazzling elements of the Disney hit will be its costumes — 440 of them, all made in Sydney.

Revealed by The Sunday Telegraph for the first time, the costumes impress even Tom Schumacher, Disney Theatrical Productions president, who quarantined in Sydney after leaving his New York office and is at the Haymarket theatre every day while the Australian cast and crew rehearse.

“The clothes are so detailed. Would everyone do that? I don’t know. But it's Frozen — these things have to be beautiful,” Schumacher says.

Jemma Rix as Elsa and Courtney Monsma as Anna. Picture: Supplied

Of the 250 Australian jobs created by Frozen’s tour to Australia, 70 of them were in the costume fabrication team.

The fabrics and trims were sourced from 14 countries to create 145 wigs, hair pieces and facial hair (Kylie Clarke Wig Making), 120 pairs of custom-made shoes (Jodie Morrison at Steppin’ Out), 90 hats (milliner Rick McGill) and of course the costumes made by Janet Hine Design of Leichhardt, Sydney Costume Workshop and Nigel Shaw Costumes.

The “ice dress" worn by leading lady Jemma Rix as Elsa required 14,000 beads and crystals and took three months to make.

Thomas McGuane as Hans. Picture: Supplied

Matt Lee in his Olaf costume. Picture: Supplied

Schumacher’s top tip is to watch for how beautifully the costumes move on stage.

“There’s a lot of dancing in this show, so we have big ball gowns that have to get, like, really danced, so there’s a lot of engineering to these clothes,” he said.

Frozen’s Anna in her fancy dress. Picture: Supplied

Another one of Elsa’s outfits. Picture: Supplied

Broadway and the West End are closed by COVID, so Schumacher is conscious of his industry’s eyes being on Frozen as it prepares to open here on December 10.

“Andrew Lloyd Webber knows I’m here, Cameron Mackintosh knows I’m here, Scott Rudin knows I’m here. Because they’re all watching, like, what’s going to happen,” Schumacher said.

Among the cast members getting to wear the gorgeous Frozen costumes are the princesses Elsa and Anna (Rix and Courtney Monsma), Kristoff (Sean Sinclair), Hans (Thomas McGuane) and Olaf the snowman (Matt Lee).