Seasoned director Sue Pomeroy has teamed up with top pop composer and Nashville recording star Chris Eaton to reinvent The Snow Queen for a contemporary audience.

"It's great fun," says Sue. "The beauty of the original is intact but we've woven the contemporary world through it. Pop music gives the the story a modern relevance you can immediately identify with. Hans Christian Anderson is a wonderful storyteller and the pop element gives it an edge."

The result is a madcap adventure which promises plenty of laughs and food for thought. "It is ultimately very touching," says Sue.

The story unfolds when a wicked demon breaks a magic mirror and the shards are invested with the power to freeze the human heart.

Suddenly the carefree world of best friends Gerda and Kay is shattered when Kay gets some of the glass in his eye and is instantly whisked away by the Snow Queen to live out a bleak existence imprisoned in her ice palace.

It's up to young Gerda to rescue him from his fate. Can she overcome the dark forces pitted against her?

"It's a huge adventure with fantastic characters," says Sue.

Youngsters Gerda and Kay are played by Claire Wilkie, Sandra Di'Marco in EastEnders, and Sam Bloom, the heartthrob of TV show Star Street and its spin-off band, All Stars.

The Snow Queen, meanwhile, is played by Shirley-Anne Field, the star of films such as My Beautiful Launderette and Saturday Night, Sunday Morning.

Shirley Anne was encouraged to look for the essential story of her character and the actress believes she has found it.

"The Queen is lonely," she says.

"She's locked in this vast landscape which is beautiful but she's completely on her own. She brings Kay there to keep her company but he can't thrive - she just turns him to ice."

Alongside this stellar cast comes Chris Eaton, who has worked with some huge names in the music industry, including Janet Jackson and Donna Summer. His original compositions are key to the adaptation.

"We were all round the piano on the first day of rehearsals going through some of the music and you could tell we were all thinking 'wow - this is fabulous, we're part of something amazing'," says Sue.

There's a certain honour, too, in putting the production on at Roedean Theatre - a little-known but impressive and well-equipped venue which is part of Roedean School.

"It's a slightly different direction for us to go in," Sue continues. "We've always been firmly committed to education but this is the first show that is really inclusive of everyone. It speaks out and embraces you no matter how old you are."

Starts 7pm, plus 2.30pm matinee Sat. Tickets cost £12/£6. Call 01273 709709.