Despite the confines of a theatre stage, the superb skaters of the Russian Ice Stars perform amazing jumps and twists (and even take to the air to perform aerial work) in their delightfully entertaining production of Peter Pan on Ice. The skaters are all leading lights in their own right, some are Olympians and others have won skating awards all over the world – and their pedigree certainly shows.
The set features a massive Peter Pan story book, and, as each scene changes, a page is turned to reveal a new setting. These clever and colourful backdrops complement the superb costumes and help to set the scene as, to keep the ice free for the performers, other scenery is kept to a minimum.
Star skater Valdis Mintals takes the role of the book’s author, J M Barrie and he sits at his desk to the side of the ice in a grey tail-coat and top hat, writing away at his masterpiece. A native of Tallinn, and skating since he was four years old, Mintals takes to the ice to give a breath-taking performance, featuring some of the most complex spins, jumps and lifts – all executed to perfection.
Ekaterina Bokiy takes the role of Tinkerbell and the part fits her like a glove. She arrives in a puff of smoke, heralding the entrance of Peter Pan and, at first, seems very happy but her facial expressions and acting style, as she becomes jealous when Peter Pan gives way too much attention to Wendy, are a joy to behold.
Captain Hook (Alexei Motorin) is a wonderful baddie who takes great delight in skating right to the front of the ice and stopping quickly, providing the first few rows with an ice shower! His fight scenes with Pan are choreographed well and his encounters with Mr Crocodile are very funny. Wendy, played by Anastasiya Khlynina, and the two Darling boys, John (Denis Balandin) and Michael (Anton Khlynin) also skate very well and obviously love the roles they fill.
The title role is taken by Anton Smirnov who, although a very accomplished skater, lacks the boyish charm that is synonymous with “The Boy Who Never Grew Up”
Overall the production is slick, well skated and very entertaining, although there is one element which is both unnecessary and, very, annoying. The inclusion of local radio presenter Danny Pike as Buccaneer Bob, a DJ on Jolly Roger Radio and narrator of the piece, distracts terribly from the sublime balletic beauty and incredible skill of the Russian Ice Stars.
He totters across the ice in pirate boots as he is obviously unable to skate, his microphone is too loud (causing most of the audience to jump every time he speaks), his jokes are mis-timed and unfunny and, overall, the production would be better without him. If the producers feel that it is necessary to have this role then why not let the author give the narration, or perhaps use a visual prompt to let us follow the story.
That one annoyance set aside, this is a great production with stunning skating, superb aerial tricks, beautiful music and swashbuckling adventure that will suit both adults and children alike.
**** 4 Stars