Spin into a spectacular fantasy world on ice Tonight.co.za |
Anyone missing this icy extravaganza will miss one of the most spectacular pieces of entertainment on Cape Town's calendar this year. There could be no better way to usher in the festive season than to spend an evening watching stars whose elegance, polish, and assurance make their performance a continuous delight to the beholder. The phrase “a show on ice” generally conjures up a vision of the family, in warm and sensible clothes, descending on a rink with mild expectations of fun and uncomplicated spectacle. It seldom happens that skaters have a formal theatre, complete with proscenium arch, backdrops and sophisticated props, in which to exhibit their proficiency, and when they do, as is the case with this production, the result is dazzling. The show begins on a sinister note with a prologue to introduce us to the evil Fairy Carabosse, brilliantly portrayed by the seemingly boneless Maria Borovikova, who receives rough treatment from her entourage as they unceremoniously fling her from hand to hand, or hurl her across the ice. She survives these indignities with aplomb, exhibiting a blend of grace and athleticism that make her a show-stealer despite her grotesque make-up and ugly attire. Show-stealer-in-chief is without a doubt the dashing young Anton Klykov (Catalabutte), who tests the boundaries of audacity on skates at terrifying speed with a stunt a minute. His role is extended beyond that of the usual court servant, to keep him more or less permanently on stage – which nobody regrets A bonus of viewing ice-skating at or above eye-level (unlike on a traditional rink) is that all the nuances of technique are clearly visible, and especially in Klykov's case, this is an edifying experience. A great merit of this Sleeping Beauty is the leit-motif of good versus evil that runs throughout, and is seen with dramatic intensity when Carabosse and her companions clash with the Lilac Fairy. The invasion of Aurora's birthday party by the former reminds one of a horde of black beetles assaulting a flower garden, and the occasional pas de deux between the Black Fairy and her Lilac counterpart are memorable. The good fairy is daintily interpreted with exquisite control by willowy Elena Pyatash, a welcome presence whenever she appears. Lastly, the leads: the effortless mastery of Vadim Yarkov and Mandy Woetzel comes as no surprise in the light of their innumerable prizes and medals carried off in championships worldwide. These skaters are the top of their league, and it shows. Yarkov handles Woetzel as if she weighed no more than a doll, and no choreographic challenge seems beyond her. The only disappointment in their otherwise lustrous partnership is the absence of significant chemistry between them, most noticeable when he approaches Aurora to deliver her awakening kiss. This pivotal moment is briskly despatched so that the couple can get on with the serious business of their wedding dances. Few spectators are likely to remain unmoved by this remarkable production: it offers escapism with a capital E. |