Theatre News South Africa

Chill with Disney On Ice's Let's Celebrate

Put on your scarves, gloves and boots, and head for Disney On Ice's Let's Celebrate at the Grand West Arena from 8 to 12 July to see more than 50 classic and contemporary Disney characters in a captivating compilation of favourite holidays and celebrations from around the globe, featuring Mickey Mouse, Alice and The Mad Hatter, Lilo and Stitch, the Disney Villains and the Disney Princesses.

In this new ice extravaganza Mickey Mouse and many of his Disney friends invite the audience join them as they travel on a delightful tour of festivities jam-packed with fun surprises, spectacular skating and vibrant costumes.

Drawing upon their own holiday experiences for research, the production's creative team was able to envision a show with an abundance of colours, warmth and spirit to evoke the pleasant memories of the holidays for the audience.

"At the beginning of the show we invite everyone to 'Be Our Guest,' and we want the audience to feel like they are participating in the show, not that they are merely watching it," says Director Patty Vincent. "The audience gets to be a part of what we experience on the ice - they'll feel like they went trick or treating with Mickey and spent Valentine's Day with the Disney Princesses."

"Let's Celebrate! is all about experiencing the holidays through the eyes of the Disney characters. We have a variety of celebrations from all over the world," adds Vincent. "With Mickey's Digital Global Destinator, we are able to travel to far-off places like China for the Chinese New Year and to Brazil for Carnival."

Chill with Disney On Ice's Let's Celebrate

Iconic props

As Mickey and his friends travel through each special time of year, Scenic Designer Robert Little sets the ice with iconic props that embody the essence of each celebration. An illuminated cherry blossom tree depicts the beauty of the Japanese Cherry Blossom festival, Sakura; a tree-like structure wrapped in gleaming white lights descends from the ceiling as snowfall blankets the scene of a Winter Wonderland; and an elegant canopy of shimmery fuchsia chiffon drapes the ice for a Valentine's Day Royal Ball. The atmosphere of each celebration is enhanced through the help of a large video projection screen that displays vivid images created by Video Designer Ilja Nowodworski. From silky kimonos made of lavender and pink florals for Japanese Sakura to citrus-collared feather headpieces for Brazil's Carnival to iridescent whites and silvers adorned with snowflake appliqués and rhinestones for the Winter Wonderland scene, Costume Designer Vanessa Leuck designed costumes from across the spectrum.

From twisting and fire-twirling Hawaiian luau dancers to the zombie-like movements of the ghoulish groupies in the Halloween segment, choreographer Cindy Stuart adds high-energy and a unique style to each performance number. In the Valentine's Day segment, seven extraordinary pairs of Disney Princesses and Princes skate to contemporary remixes of classic songs from each princess story and then come together for "That's How You Know" from Walt Disney Pictures Enchanted.

With a contemporary flair and eclectic mixture of creative elements, Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate! is an incredible party that will inspire families to celebrate year round.

Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, go to www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre. To discover more about Disney On Ice, log on to www.disneyonice.co.za or visit on Facebook and YouTube.

One lucky Bizcommunity family of four can win free tickets to the opening performance at Grand Arena, GrandWest on Wednesday, 8 July 2015 commencing at 3pm. All you have to do is send an email to az.oc.oidutsgnitirw@leinad.

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