Sun Herald, Australia
By Julie Huffer
THIS production by the Imperial Ice Stars, produced by a team that includes Australian dancin' man David Atkins, is perhaps as close to ballet or musical theatre as you can get on skates. And that's a big compliment.
Typically ice spectaculars are performed in the less intimate Entertainment Centre - here we are in the cosy Lyric Theatre with sparkling sets by another Australian, Eamon D'Arcy, with a frozen stage.
Artistic director Tony Mercer, seems to have pushed the ice champions beyond typical boundaries to produce choreography and theatrics that combine the best of skating with impressive classical moves, drama and vibrant spectacle.
The show opens with fanfare - there are top hats and tails, bonnets and swinging gowns among the gorgeous costumes by Albena Gabuyeva. Parasols open and twirl and the cast could burst into song (Singing ln The Rain) as they kind of tap dance in their bladed boots.
There are cartwheels, backward somersaults and other daring moves, sword fighting and flying. The cast is terrific. Male leads steal the show: fiery Anton Klykov as Rothbart, smooth Vadim Yarkov as Prince Siegfried and effervescent Andrei Penkine as Benno...
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