We have been confined indoors over the past week as a result of the ongoing haze situation here in Singapore. So it was with delight that we escaped to MBS on Thursday evening to catch The Imperial Ice Stars Sleeping Beauty on Ice. I’ve always loved watching ice-skating performances and was excited to watch this award-winning troupe which has, over the last 10 years, established a reputation for their sophisticated portals of classic works. Together with my little daughter, we decided to make a date of it.
On stepping into the theatre, both Mei and I were fascinated by the prospect of an ice-rink on stage which, I felt, added to the softly mysterious feel of the set. From the beginning strains of Tchaikovsky’s music, we were drawn into the story that unfolded before our eyes. Yet it was only when the show started that I realised (a bit belatedly) that the performance was really Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty ballet, but performed on ice. (Duh, right?) Had I realised this earlier, I would have prepared my daughter for the fact that the show, like a ballet performance, would be wordless.
Fortunately Sleeping Beauty is a story she is familiar with and she could follow the story with some prompts from me. There were a couple of modern updates to the traditional tale, chiefly the fact that Princess Aurora doesn’t prick her finger on a spindle but instead takes a poisoned drink from the wicked fairy, Carabosse. She is later awakened 100 years later by taking at the antidote given to her by the Prince Desire. Carabosse here also appears as a man — and a very tall and imposing one at that! These changes were surprising tweaks but they were nothing too difficult to catch on to.
My initial concerns that Mei would not be able to sit through a 2-hour long performance melted away as we were engaged by the spectacular action before us. The performers moved effortlessly, alternating their graceful and serene dance on the ice with breathtaking spins and high-speed lifts and throws. At times, the show felt like part-ballet part-circus with aerial gymnastics and fire effects that both awed and delighted us. Even my 4-year old Mei was held spellbound and clapped spontaneously at the stunts. I did think it would have added that extra dimension to the performance if Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score was not pre-recorded but was instead performed live. It was a teensy bit disappointing that it wasn’t, but the show overall was a treat to the senses.
If you’re planning on catching the performance, don’t leave too early as the performers reserve some of their best – and most outlandish – moves for the finale curtain call. This had the crowd cheering and clapping, and ended the performance on a high. It was a fitting end to an entertaining night.
The Imperial Ice Stars — Sleeping Beauty On Ice
Ticketing and Show Information
Season: 24 to 27 Sept 2015
Venue: Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
Performance Times: Thursday and Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 1.30pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 1.30pm & 6.30pm
Ticket Prices: $75 through to $155
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes (including 20 min interval)
Booking through Internet: Marina Bay Sands Ticketing or Sistic
Booking by Phone: +65 6688 8826
*We watched this show on a media invite. All photos used in this post are courtesy of Base Entertainment Asia. All opinions remain, as always, my own.
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