Timeout, Perth, Australia
by SARAH MCNEILL
The Imperial Ice Stars' production of Swan Lake On Ice is a spectacle of flashing, slashing blades, sprays of ice, flying swans, extravagant sets and even a ring of fire.
Unlike their delicate ballet counterparts, these Russian ice skaters are physically powerful, highly energetic and far from fragile.
Odette and Odile - played by two women rather than the traditional doubling by one performer - are strong characters and strong skaters, both prepared to do battle with their nemesis, the fabulously evil Rothbart.
And Odette, much to children's delight; is a swan that can really fly.
The leading men reel off streams of tight spins, air turns, lifts and back flips. But the courteous Prince Siegfried is overpowered by his effusive friend Benno, who behaves as though the entire spectacle is of his own creation, taking centre stage as often as he can.
Skating on the small space of a traditional proscenium arch stage is fraught with difficulties and occasional slips and falls only highlight the degree of difficulty in building up enough speed and then executing double twists and triple turns within just a few square metres.
It's exciting stuff and the sumptuous sets and costumes add to the delight of a family show.