Cirque de Glace

While this was an amazing spectacle of ice dance, the moralistic tone of the "show" was somewhat depressing. Having seen and much enjoyed Beauty and the Beast on ice last year with our two young children, the promised Circus this year was nothing more than a moralistic attack on humankind and what we have done to our planet. It was very dark and for children it was certainly not entertaining at all. It was brilliantly put together and the skating was as ever superb, but I would certainly not recommend taking your children to this show - they just simply did not understand it and we all left feeling very depressed.

The Coxes (Unverified), 24/01/09

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When the lights dim in the New Theatre at the beginning of Cirque De Glace a sense of anticipation spreads. Piercing beams of light probe the audience in an almost threatening manner as a loud voice delivers, in rhyming couplets, the events which some believe shaped the creation of earth.

This bold and unusual opening marks the start of what becomes a historical timeline told through interpretational ice dancing and aerial acrobatics as choreographed by Cavalieri Giuseppe Arena. The audience watch as the Russian Ice Stars detail everything from the formation of land and seas to the birth of human kind, at which point the skaters break out into something somewhat reminiscent of an 80s dance off.

As time passes, both literally and figuratively speaking, the formation skating is punctuated by hugely impressive aerial displays performed by acrobats Ekaterina Belokopytova and Alexander Belokopytov, as well as various mind- boggling contortions a-top a model globe by Valerie Murzak. Throughout the performance the progression through history is also mapped by the rhyming narration which continues to blast from speakers in a sometimes vain attempt to enlighten the audience of the latest developments on the planet.

At some points it seemed that although Cirque De Glace is visually stunning from start to finish with dazzling light displays and massively talented performers, it was in fact the structure of the piece that was lacking. By the start of the second act time seemed to have jumped from the discovery of fire to the first men on the moon in the space of a twenty minute interval. After this, it appears that the idea of following a timeline has been completely replaced as suddenly the stage is occupied by an acrobat on a swing surrounded by rainbows. The performance also seems to take a musical turn at this point as the narrator is replaced by a singer.

However, despite some confusion over the plot progression, if it can be called such a thing, Cirque De Glace still manages to remain highly entertaining as breathtaking stunts are performed against the backdrop of a truly beautiful set and under some very carefully calculated lighting displays. The show proves to be a spectacle well worth seeing, just don’t get too wrapped up in the questionable continuity!

Rowena Purrett (DI Reviewer), 23/01/09

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Press Preview
Thurs 22nd January 2009

Every so often the New Theatre is transformed into an icerink. It takes one night - they put down a lining and cover it with crushed ice. Then they spray water over it, and refreeze, spray and refreeze. This time it's the job of the Russian Ice Stars' Ice Engineer, Yakov Kuprin. He stays up through the night, and the next day the ice rink is ready.

I've often wondered what the back of the New Theatre is like. It's as labyrinthine as I'd hoped, with miles of carpeted corridors and offices, and tantalising notices pointing you to the dressing rooms and other myserious, out-of-bounds quarters. The number of offices give a glimpse of how many people it takes to keep an operation this size running, and running smoothly.

On this particular day there's an extra fascination - heading past me are athletic Russians, dressed as cavemen, some of the men seeming 7 feet tall, while the women are petite. They're dashing up and down stairs, in their ice skates! I get hastily out of the way, but they just seem to see it as a day's work.

Out on stage there's some last minute practice. Two girls climb ropes, again, in their ice skates! They're swung round at the top like lassoos. Another pair practise the lifts - one of the tall cavemen holding a girl up with one hand, as if he was a waiter and she a tray. It's not surprising to learn that several of the pairs are husband and wife teams - having to trust someone with your life everyday must surely make a bond.

During the practice someone falls. He's been taking off, spinning round and landing again, and once he misses. There are catcalls from the company, but someone pats him on the shoulder. For me it just brings home how hard these feats are, however effortless the Stars make them seem. No wonder they'll fit in a last practice whenever time allows.

Then we're treated to a scene from the show, in which men first appear on the Earth. There's tribal drumming, projected trees and fire, and lights which seem to scatter across the ice. The skating is a mixture of dance, acrobatics and circus tricks. They're not really conveying a plot, just a series of scenes, and the whole thing is an excuse for plenty of breathtaking moves.

In a few days time it'll all disappear, the scene for this spectacular demolished with an axe. In the meantime it's definitely worth catching while you can. Just take a warm coat and prepare to be impressed!

Jen Pawsey (DI Reviewer), 23/01/09

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