The Nutcracker on Ice, soon at Artscape

Toerien is delighted that The Imperial Ice Stars have chosen South Africa for the world premiere of their latest outstanding production. The Nutcracker on Ice marks their fourth ice show in this country, and with each tour the audience numbers have grown significantly, as South Africans have embraced and appreciated the quality, exceptional talent and theatricality of these world class skaters that include Principals Vadim Yarkov, Bogdan Berezenko, Anastasia Ignatyeva, Olga Sharutenko and Vadim Yarkov.

Over the last seven years, The Imperial Ice Stars have performed to more than three million people across five continents at some of the world's most prestigious venues - London's Royal Albert Hall and Sadler's Wells, Singapore's Esplanade Theatre, Montreal's Place des Arts and Moscow's Red Square.

World champion figure skaters in action

Since opening at the Teatro at Montecasino in November 2011, The Nutcracker on Ice has been receiving nightly standing ovations and rave reviews, just like the Imperial Ice Stars previous productions of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Swan Lake on Ice and Cinderella on Ice, the latter enjoying attendance by more than 125,000 South Africans when it was presented to great acclaim in this country in 2009/2010.

Acclaimed artistic director Tony Mercer has once again teamed with four-time figure skating World Champion and dual Olympic gold medallist Evgeny Platov, and dual World Champion Maxim Staviski to create choreography that further raises the bar, with ever more breathtaking high-speed leaps and throws, and awe-inspiring acrobatics, coupled with the most graceful and sublime ice dancing.

This brand new production follows the classic Russian tale of Maria, the little girl whose love brings to life her cherished Nutcracker doll - a magical Christmas gift from her mysterious godfather - leading to adventures with the Mouse King, the enchanted Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.