The Imperial Ice Stars feature in a stunning production of the Nutcracker Suite Ballet performed as ‘The Nutcracker on Ice,’ at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. This ballet is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, modified by Dumas and then choreographed by Ivanov.
Tim Duncan – Music Arranger, Conductor and Composer has adapted Tchaikovsky’s famous score to the Nutcracker – Duncan said in the program, “When writing Music for this genre, melody is for me supreme. Add to this interesting cross rhythms, and instrumentation to help identify the different aspects of story telling then you dont get much better than a score by Tchaikovsky” .
And what a visual feast of story-telling! In the opening scene – a cold Christmas eve in St. Petersburg inside the family home of Dr. Pavlov the warm hearth crackles – large boxes of presents with beautiful rosettes and baubles await the children under the Christmas tree.
At the Christmas Eve party, as guests arrive, Grandmother sits knitting a red scarf and in a later scene she is mysteriously despatched from under her chair by a swirling magician’s cape – by none other than Herr Drosselmeyer. He presents Marie Pavlov with an enchanted Nutcracker Doll – (that merely masquerades as a Nutcracker).
After the party revellers say their good byes and travel homeward over moon-lit snow, Marie Pavlov runs downstairs as flashes of lighting scissor across her living-room – as she goes to check up on her much coveted Nutcracker Doll.
By Scene eight a Battle breaks out between different ranks of tin soldiers and giant mice and children in the audience are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of how long the tin soldiers clock work will run or run-out before the soldiers gracefully collapse on the ice or fold back into their music boxes. Will the giant mice be caught in a round white gilded trap – or could that be a bird cage?!
At Interval there is quite a crowd gathered around the stage to watch the Ice Engineers raking, scraping and hosing the ice rink – to prepare the ice for the Imperial Ice Stars magical second half.
Some interesting and amazing! facts from the ‘Nutcracker on Ice” Program – “Some of the skating moves performed by The Imperial Ice Stars have never been attempted before, either in competition or on the stage (not even at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics), and are so complex they have not been named yet!
After Marie Pavlov survives the Battle of the Soldiers and Mice her loyalty and love to the Nutcracker releases it from an evil spell and he is transformed back into a handsome Prince. The Prince takes Marie on a long journey to a sparkling snow covered fir forest and the Land of Snowflakes.
They reach the Kingdom of Sweets – an amazing set by Scenic Designer Eamon Darcy who created this bright candy coloured Palace of Sweets backdrop – with an all time Australian favourite Blocks of Liquorice All Sorts Holding up the Pillars and vibrant purple and green jelly moulds and lolly-pop canes – all seemingly both tactile and edible!
The freed Prince introduces Marie to the Sugar Plum Fairy. To celebrate the homecoming of their beloved Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy organises a ‘Grand Celebration of Dancing.’ To the back-drop of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music that makes the Sugar Plum Fairy’s dance sound like tinkling, falling rain drops and the grateful Prince performs a Solo in response.
Next follows the four exotic ‘Divertissement’ Dances, with the Prince and Princess Marie eagerly watching these unique performances from their Balcony.
The first Divertissement is performed by Spanish Dancers complete with flamenco music, skirts whirling and castinets clicking. The second Divertissement is performed by a couple wearing silk pyjamas as they perform the Tea Ceremony Dance. The third Divertissement is performed by Le Cafe from Arabia who perform stunning aerial acrobats – on ice!!
The last Divertissement is Candy from Russia with four colourful Cossack dancers performing energetic acrobatic feats.
The dancing reaches a grand finale with the beautiful performance of the Waltz of the Flowers – with superb dancing and skating technique and visually stunning.
There is only one question to answer about the performance of the ‘Nutcracker on Ice’ Is it a rumour that clusters of Fire-Eaters are twirling their fire-brands on Ice? You will have to buy a Ticket and Go and See It to Find Out!
The Imperial Ice Stars production of THE NUTCRACKER ON ICE is having an extensive Australian tour. After playing the Capitol Theatre, Sydney between 6th to 10th June, the production goes on to play the Theatre Centre, Canberra between 13th to 17th June, the Lyric Theatre, Brisbane between the 20th and 24th June, the Festival Centre, Adelaide between 19th to 22nd July, the Arts Centre, Melbourne between the 25th and 29th July and His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth between the 2nd and 12th August, 2012.
© Esther Rothfield
10th June, 2012
Tags: Sydney Dance Reviews- THE NUTCRACKER ON ICE, Capitol Theatre Sydney, Sydney Arts Guide, Esther Rothfield.