Cinderella on Ice to thrill Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Mar 26 2009

THE world-famous Imperial Ice Stars are set to thrill North Wales audiences next month with their brand new production of Cinderella on Ice.

More than two million people across five continents have watched the stars of the show, who have won international critical acclaim and five-star reviews with their previous tours of Sleeping Beauty on Ice and Swan Lake on Ice.

Cinderella on Ice features stunning skating feats, some only seen in Olympic arenas and some never attempted before, and is being performed within the confines of a frozen theatre stage, at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, from April 7-11.

The ice show has been conceived and choreographed by artistic director and local man Tony Mercer, who is widely regarded as the world’s leading creator of theatre on ice, together with the highly respected ice coach Evgeny Platov, dual Olympic gold medallist and four time world champion and last year’s ice dancing world champions Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski.

"I am not a great ice skater myself but I have worked with some fantastic Russian ice coaches in Moscow when developing the show," explained Tony from Kinmel Bay.

"After the success of my other two ice shows it was a real challenge adapting Cinderella for the ice. With the show I have gone back to the roots of the story and moved away from the classic fairy tale."

In his new interpretation of the classic tale, Tony and the Imperial Ice Stars tell the story of Cinderella, as a humble chorus dancer who is thrust into the spotlight as a prima ballerina and captivates the handsome Lord Mayor’s son with her graceful performance. Despite rival attempts by her stepsisters to steal his heart, the kindly watchmakers and gypsy fortune teller ensure that true love triumphs.

Tony added: "I wanted to give our version a new setting while retaining the ingredients and emotions of this timeless story."

And turning the theatre stage into a temporary ice rink is no easy task, approximately 14 tonnes of ice will cover it and hidden beneath the surface is over 10 miles of pipes which a special team of ice technicians look after working at a temperature of minus 15 degrees.

"A strict timetable needs to be followed in order for the ice rink to be ready in time for rehearsals," added Tony.

"Overnight the rink is sprayed carefully every 15 minutes until it is approximately three inches thick.

"But it will be a great thrill playing to my home crowd," added Tony.

Cinderella on Ice is on from Tuesday, April 7, until Saturday, April 11. For tickets (£17-£28.50), call the box office on 01492 872000 or visit venuecymru.co.uk