Like all things memorable and sweet, the 2016 redux of Swan Lake On Ice aims for the poignant. That wow moment when Tchaikovsky's magnificent and well-loved score hits its sweet spot and everything pauses - the snow falls and the skater does that trick - you know, the one we'll be talking about over champagne in the lavish foyer of the Artscape.
The official press release confidently claims "daring and graceful feats - some of which are so complex they haven't yet been named".
The production has nailed the attention-grabbing factor, but if you've come for eerie romantic magic, you're in the wrong place. Swan Lake On Ice is the latest trophy horse from Pieter Toerien Productions and follows hot on the heels of current showstopper, Singin In The Rain (read my review here). Like it, Swan Lake is a performance-built hype pleaser. The only difference is that this one's powered by 26 Olympic World, European and National Championship skaters, who between them hold more than 250 competition medals.
Leading male stars Bogdan Berezenko and Alexandr Kazakov no doubt dropped the proverbial mike on opening night. The fast-paced physical feats dreamt up by the choreographic imagination of artistic director Tony Mercer guaranteed an overall result polished in colourful opulence that's as cheerful as it is charming. The lack of vocals well masked by sophisticated designs from celebrated costumier Albina Gabueva (from Moscow's Stanislavsky Theatre) and Australasia's leading scenic designer, Eamon D'Arcy.
They say that over three million people across five continents have been swept to their feet by The Imperial Ice Stars' eye-popping performances. This is just another day at the office executed with that classy swagger only the professionals can afford.
We all saw that super-devilish spin by Yahor Maistrou, who stars as the much-loathed Von Rothbart, who turns our sweet Odette (Olga Sharutenko) into a swan. He knew he killed it. We all did. Adding fire was welcomed bonus.
Lastly, special mention goes out to Fiona Kirk the only Capetonian in Imperial Ice Stars. Keep an eye out for her rope performance.
Swan Lake On Ice is on at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town till the 31 January. Tickets can be purchased via Computicket
