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brook
Novice skater
Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Location: Asia
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 Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:30 am Post subject: From Asia |
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Review from Singapore -
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/life/story/0,4574,348884,00.html?
| Quote: | Published September 4, 2009
Fairy tale comes alive on ice
By MELISSA QUEK
Ice dance: Olga Sharutenko as Cinderella and Andrei Penkine as the Lord Mayor's son
DANCE or ice-skating? It's difficult to categorise the Imperial Ice Stars' Cinderella on Ice but for sure, it's one heck of an entertaining performance that will have you holding your breath or gasping in awe throughout. Sometimes even simultaneously.
Cinderella on Ice brought the fairy tale to life and more - with its witty choreography, vibrant costumes and elaborate sets. Not to mention supreme technique. There was sufficient artistry and thought put into all the production elements to interest a regular ballet fan.
First off, the music. Instead of using Prokofiev's score from the traditional Cinderella ballets, original music was composed which followed the unique narrative of this telling and allowed more freedom in the production's own character development and choice of dance numbers.
At the Ball, for example, there was a 'frozen Riverdance' number, where the cast was led by a charming Andrei Penkine in an Irish tap dance in ice skates egged on by Celtic-sounding music.
This quirky sense of humour showed its face in the self-referential section that cast Cinderella as Odette in a town production of Swan Lake (the most recently toured production by the Imperial Ice Stars) which brought her to the notice of the Lord Mayor's son, aka Prince Charming - which made one wonder if the economic downturn had pushed them to save money on costumes.
This was also an updated Cinderella - liberated women and all. Cinderella's stepmother is dressed in scarlet, often holding a symbolic cigarette out of her husband's reach as they whirled around each other. She even balanced him on her hip in the only reverse lift of the show.
Not only did this production depart from the stereotypical ice show, its choreography supported the narrative in movement and emotional expression, while the performers acted well.
Olena Pyatash excelled as the haughty and jealous stepmother with the ability to cajole. The precision of her movements and her energy made hers an arresting performance, while Vadim Yarkov's control and carriage gave him a commanding presence. Penkine as the Lord Mayor's son brought a cheeky liveliness to the production, while Olga Sharutenko admirably portrayed the transition from young innocent to a woman in love. Sighs echoed in the theatre over the stunning aerial wire work as she flew and spun in the clouds.
With the 'shrunken' space - from a large skating rink to a proscenium - the production focuses on jumps for height rather than distance, which requires a different technique from what most ice skaters are used to.
The confined space also requires greater precision and placement from the performers - making the show all the more breathtaking. The increased emphasis on height was especially clear in the precarious assisted throw jumps as the women were tossed in the air, or in Penkine's many heart-stopping triple axels.
Cinderella on Ice might be a fairy tale but that didn't mean that the technical aspects of figure skating were compromised with plenty of 'wow' moments. In fact, there were so many impressive tricks that the audience just didn't know when to burst out clapping. The 'spontaneous' applause felt choreographed as the skaters had to resort to head-tossing and the flicking of wrists in 'ta-daa' arms to indicate a clapping moment. But that was a good predicament to have, as in the end, the audience didn't need prompting to cheer heartily at the curtain call.
'Cinderella on Ice' will be on until Sept 6 at the Esplanade Theatre. Tickets from Sistic
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hui
Novice skater
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Posts: 2
Location: HK
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| Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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Review From HK
| Quote: | Review: Imperial Ice Stars: Cinderella on Ice
Natasha Rogai
Sep 15, 2009
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Lyric Theatre, HK Academy for Performing Arts
Reviewed: Sept 11
This Cinderella is a world away from the Vegas-style vulgarity usually associated with ice shows. Director Tony Mercer and his team have come up with an original take on the story. Set in a small town, it opens on a sombre note with the death of Cinderella's mother. The prince is transformed into the mayor's son, who is the town's most eligible bachelor, while Cinderella is a ballerina who catches his eye. The stepmother and stepsisters are neither ugly nor figures of fun, more Desperate Housewives mean. The glass slipper (skating boot) is still there as is Cinderella's coach, a brilliant theatrical effect that closes the first half.
The choreography is inventive and musical, if less distinguished on the narrative side. The skaters' speed, power and control are breathtaking. Big jumps are restricted by the size of the stage, but there is plenty of virtuosity - the performers execute scintillating spins and even tap dance on the points of their skates. Most spectacular of all are the numerous lifts, with girls held aloft horizontally or vertically by whirling partners.
There is a strong score, clever sets by Eamon D'Arcy and gorgeous costumes by Albina Gabueva.
Skating by the whole troupe is outstanding. Olga Sharutenko makes a charming, gentle Cinderella, Andrei Penkine (pictured with Sharutenko) a dashing hero and Olena Pyatash a glamorous stepmother. The partnering skills of Vadim Yarkov as Cinderella's father must be seen to be believed as he lifts two women at the same time.
This is a sophisticated production that will appeal to adults and older children. Ironically, it may suffer from not fitting audience expectations of an ice-show - it was not until the spectacular finale that the troupe got the rousing reception they deserved.
Until Sept 20, HK$345-HK$645, HK Ticketing. Tel: 31 288 288, or go to hkticketing.com |
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yumi
Novice skater
Joined: 26 Aug 2009
Posts: 3
Location: SG
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| Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:07 am Post subject: |
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I love this dance and this picture. It is unique for skating show and it is eye catching, it should be on the poster instead of the very conventional Ball Room pose.
Olga is so beautiful, Andrei is so dashing. It has best combined athleticism with artistry.
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a_wish
Novice skater
Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Location: OZ
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| Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:38 am Post subject: |
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From Thailand -
http://www.bangkokpost.com/entertainment/music/25187/
| Quote: | When Cinderella skates Swan Lake
* Published: 7/10/2009 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: Outlook
'Where's the pumpkin?" a young girl seated behind me asked her mother while watching the fantastic Imperial Ice Stars: Cinderella on Ice. Her comment was perfect proof that the adaptation of the world-renown fairy tale might not fulfil children's fantasies, but that doesn't lessen the significance of the show.
Introducing the new interpretation by producer James Cundall and director Tony Mercer, the so-called ballet-on-ice surprised Thai audiences by combining the romantic tale of Cinderella with the famous ballet Swan Lake, performed by the cast members who are talented and skilful in both dancing and skating.
In this version of Cinderella, the UK-based Lunchbox Theatrical Productions have rewritten the leading character as the daughter of a watchmaker and a talented ballerina, while the Prince has been transformed into the Mayor's son who falls in love with Cinderella as she flawlessly performs in Swan Lake. The jealous stepmother and step sisters are still there to dramatise the story. Instead of a guiding angel, a mysterious gypsy woman is introduced as Cinderella' saviour, who possesses the time-controlling power that enables Cinderella's dream. And for this version, the glass slipper has become a shiny-white skating boot.
The beautifully composed and arranged music by Tim A. Duncan and Edward Barnwell not only pleased the audiences' ears but also supported the emotional expressions of the performers in many scenes. Eamon D'Arcy's sets, as well as Albina Gabueva's costumes played a major part in the liveliness of the show.
Breathtaking triple flips, triple toe loops, double axels, death spirals and camel spins were among the complex manoeuvres that wowed the audience. With outstanding techniques, most of the cast have professional figure skating experience, some of them being prize-winners at international championships.
The lovely Olga Sharutenko was convincing as a fragile Cinderella while the Mayor's son, played by Andrei Penkine, impressed with his charming gestures and tap-dancing skills. Olena Pyatash, the gorgeous stepmother in a red dress, however, was the obvious scene-stealer with her killing looks and unrivalled skating skills.
The well-choreographed dance scenes were all impressive, however, with special effects, the scene of Cinderella dancing with the Mayor's son stole the show. Amidst a dark backdrop dotted with glittering stars, Cinderella was suddenly lifted by unseen hands in a most mesmerising moment that captured the essence of the love-scene.
Once the final curtain fell, the troupe of Cinderella on Ice surely had touched the hearts of the audience judging from the loud applause and the odd standing ovation. And Cinderella, even in her hybrid form, had still managed to send the audience home happily ever after. |
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