UK Theatre Network

The Imperial Ice Stars present

Cinderella on Ice

Conceived and Choreographed by Tony Mercer

Reviewed on Tuesday 3^rd February 2009 by Catherine Brian

The Imperial Ice Stars brought their version of Cinderella on Ice to Milton Keynes during the height of the snow, which unusually for Milton Keynes was very snowy indeed!  A cheery evening of traditional skating was very fitting for the weather!

The ice skating is really what we came to see and we weren’t disappointed.  The first act is a little slow to get going, and really could have been shortened, but once the action starts, then the Russian ice skaters really start to do their thing.  It amazed me last time they visited Milton Keynes, and still amazed me this time that they can do so many spectacular moves on a stage though large for a regional theatre, is much smaller than they would be used to in an ice rink.  They do lifts, jumps, balances, turns, intricate moves and choreography, gymnastic flips and were even flown like Peter Pan.  If an audience attention grabbing move could be put in, then it was!  And the audience loved it.

The skaters, as last time, were beautifully costumed in traditional dress – how the girls skate their choreography in the costumes is amazing.  Every costume was superb.  The set was a little sparse, I expect to leave maximum space for the ice skating, but Cinderella’s coach was magical – Jordan would have been green with envy!

There was a focus throughout on clocks and time – presumably to bring our attention to midnight striking – at one stage there were several clocks on the stage all moving their hands and telling different times.  A feat of Stage Management I’m sure, but it just made me dizzy.  The clock focus also resulted in a Metropolis-type opening to Act Two, which made a change in mood and tempo to the dreamy waltz-like music that accompanied most of the evening.

The show built up theatrically to a thrilling final scene, which even included a Riverdance-type routine on skates!

I have to say, I was really looking forward to this evening’s ice show.  The story portrayed is so far removed from the Cinderella that we know and love – especially seeing it right after the panto season - that  most of the time I was totally confused as to what was going on, which did spoil my enjoyment somewhat.  This Cinderella is set back stage in a production of Swan Lake, including the famous Tchaikovsky music, which was very confusing.  No ugly sisters, no dame, not even Buttons (!) just some jealous co-stars in Swan Lake.  The trying on and fitting of the correct ice-skating boot was cleverly done and could have been very ungainly, but managed to be almost graceful, considering there were boots to put on and pull off, Velcro to be fastened and unfastened and skaters dancing with only one boot on. 

If you have the opportunity to go and see this amazing ice show, then don’t miss out.  Remember it’s an ice show, so you will need to wear warm clothes!

Cinderella on Ice played Milton Keynes Theatre from 3^rd to 7^th February 2009. www.miltonkeynestheatre.com 0871 297 5454 (bkg fee applies).  The world tour continues with dates booked in the UK until June 2009. www.imperialicestars.com.

This performance was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre by Catherine Brian on Tuesday 3^rd February 2009.