January 23, 2009
When the lights dim in the New Theatre at the beginning of Cirque De Glace a sense of anticipation spreads. Piercing beams of light probe the audience in an almost threatening manner as a loud voice delivers, in rhyming couplets, the events which some believe shaped the creation of earth.
This bold and unusual opening marks the start of what becomes a historical timeline told through interpretational ice dancing and aerial acrobatics as choreographed by Cavalieri Giuseppe Arena. The audience watch as the Russian Ice Stars detail everything from the formation of land and seas to the birth of human kind, at which point the skaters break out into something somewhat reminiscent of an 80s dance off.
As time passes, both literally and figuratively speaking, the formation skating is punctuated by hugely impressive aerial displays performed by acrobats Ekaterina Belokopytova and Alexander Belokopytov, as well as various mind- boggling contortions a-top a model globe by Valerie Murzak. Throughout the performance the progression through history is also mapped by the rhyming narration which continues to blast from speakers in a sometimes vain attempt to enlighten the audience of the latest developments on the planet.
At some points it seemed that although Cirque De Glace is visually stunning from start to finish with dazzling light displays and massively talented performers, it was in fact the structure of the piece that was lacking. By the start of the second act time seemed to have jumped from the discovery of fire to the first men on the moon in the space of a twenty minute interval. After this, it appears that the idea of following a timeline has been completely replaced as suddenly the stage is occupied by an acrobat on a swing surrounded by rainbows. The performance also seems to take a musical turn at this point as the narrator is replaced by a singer.
However, despite some confusion over the plot progression, if it can be called such a thing, Cirque De Glace still manages to remain highly entertaining as breathtaking stunts are performed against the backdrop of a truly beautiful set and under some very carefully calculated lighting displays. The show proves to be a spectacle well worth seeing, just don’t get too wrapped up in the questionable continuity!
This bold and unusual opening marks the start of what becomes a historical timeline told through interpretational ice dancing and aerial acrobatics as choreographed by Cavalieri Giuseppe Arena. The audience watch as the Russian Ice Stars detail everything from the formation of land and seas to the birth of human kind, at which point the skaters break out into something somewhat reminiscent of an 80s dance off.
As time passes, both literally and figuratively speaking, the formation skating is punctuated by hugely impressive aerial displays performed by acrobats Ekaterina Belokopytova and Alexander Belokopytov, as well as various mind- boggling contortions a-top a model globe by Valerie Murzak. Throughout the performance the progression through history is also mapped by the rhyming narration which continues to blast from speakers in a sometimes vain attempt to enlighten the audience of the latest developments on the planet.
At some points it seemed that although Cirque De Glace is visually stunning from start to finish with dazzling light displays and massively talented performers, it was in fact the structure of the piece that was lacking. By the start of the second act time seemed to have jumped from the discovery of fire to the first men on the moon in the space of a twenty minute interval. After this, it appears that the idea of following a timeline has been completely replaced as suddenly the stage is occupied by an acrobat on a swing surrounded by rainbows. The performance also seems to take a musical turn at this point as the narrator is replaced by a singer.
However, despite some confusion over the plot progression, if it can be called such a thing, Cirque De Glace still manages to remain highly entertaining as breathtaking stunts are performed against the backdrop of a truly beautiful set and under some very carefully calculated lighting displays. The show proves to be a spectacle well worth seeing, just don’t get too wrapped up in the questionable continuity!