A triumphant return for The Imperial Ice Stars as the bring a restaged version of their acclaimed production of Swan Lake On Ice back to Glasgow.

After being astounded by this company and this show the last time it appeared, I was excited enough to be back watching a beautiful interpretation of the story combined with thrilling and daring ice dancing. However to discover that the show had even more elements added was indeed a bonus - and a sign that this is a production company never to rest on its laurels.

Olga Sharutenko (a previous professional on TV's Dancing on Ice) was again breathtaking in the leading role of Odette showing a grace and elegance in her performance, inlcluding a short piece of ballet pointe work (on ice!!). Taking the decision to split the White Swan/Black Swan role to two performers works extremely well in this context giving a whole new dynamic to the story. Olena Pyatash gave Odile a great dignity and showed off her award winning skills both on the ice and in the amazing lifts. A particular highlight of the production is the touching pas des trois between both leading ladies above and The Prince, danced by Andrei Penkin. The moment where both ladies are lifted from the ice (see picture above from previous production) is the combination of skill and storytelling at its best.

Vadim Yarkov provides the sinister presence of Count Von Rothbart with speed and agility that gives the fight sequence between himself and The Prince a real sense of danger. Ruslan Novoseltsev provides a lot of the humour as the Prince’s aide, Benno. His rapport with the audience and his spectacular tricks made him a stand out – something which must be difficult in a cast of this calibre.

The ensemble also provide many of the heartstopping moments too. The spectacular lifts, leaps and throws on a performance space nearly a quarter of the size of the Olympic ice rinks these stars trained on, are genuinely breathtaking. The two stumbles (well it is very slippy out there!) that occurred during this performance only prove that these daring effects are indeed challenging, even for professionals of these standards.

Tony Mercer as Artistic Director and Choreographer has another success on his hands, and I will definitely get my skates on to buy tickets next time The Imperial Ice Stars roll into town.

Performances:

Tue 19 Apr:     7.30pm

Wed 20 Apr:    2.30pm, 7.30pm

Thu 21 Apr:     2.30pm, 7.30pm

Fri 22 Apr:       7.30pm

Sat 23 Apr:      2.30pm, 7.30pm

Box Office: 08448 717 647(bkg fee)   web: www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow