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Tchaikovsky’s classic ‘Swan Lake’ now on ice
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THE swans are back but this time on ice. “Swan Lake on Ice” is one of the most popular productions of the Imperial Ice Stars from the UK. The famed production is back with breathtaking presentations on a different stage altogether.
“Everybody knows the story of Swan Lake. We are not doing ballet, but another theater version on ice with speed and emotions,” says Tony Mercer, the producer of the show.
“Swan Lake on Ice,” starring Olga Sharutenko, will be staged at the SAIC Shanghai Culture Square till June 26.
The story is the same — a princess who is turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse — but the Imperial Ice Star’s production puts emphasis not just on choreography but also on “speed,” an essential feature on ice that evokes emotions from both the performers and audiences.
The ice performance of the popular ballet has 26 skating athletes who have won more than 250 medals in various international competitions.
“Swan Lake on Ice” exhibits a series of demanding techniques like arabesque spin and double axel. In addition, flying people, effects, projection, man-made snow and rain add to the richness of the show, which has been carefully designed by Eamon D’Arcy.
D’Arcy has been there before, having designed the sets for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Mercer says Tchaikovsky’s music for the ballet is the foundation of the show.
“Tchaikovsky’s original has been changed to some extent when it was adapted for ballet. What we are doing here is to start right from the original story set to music by Tchaikovsky,” says Mercer.
“I am probably biased to consider our version better. I love ice-skating. The movement is incredible. People get excited about watching the performers moving at 30-35km/h with extremely dangerous lifts and jumps.”
Mercer insists that the technique serves the story well. For example, Odette is supposed to fly with steel wire while skating when she meets the prince for the first time in the forest. Such arrangement not only displays the feature of Odette as a swan princess but also the romance in the air at that precise moment.
Regardless of the skating skills of the performers, it is still technically difficult for them, who are used to skating in a bigger arena, to demonstrate similar techniques on a much smaller stage. Besides, they have to grasp some bit of acting to bring the characters to life.
“They are very talented at what they do. Audiences will see them performing as great actors and actresses though it was not their original major,” says Mercer.
Founded in 2004, the Imperial Ice Stars has co-produced a series of classics on ice together with the Lunch Box Theater, such as “Sleeping Beauty on Ice,” “Nutcracker on Ice” and “Cinderella on Ice.”
The 2006 version of “Swan Lake on Ice” travelled to 20 countries and regions and was watched by over 4 million people.
This is the newest version, which was first staged in 2015. It toured South Africa, Italy and Hong Kong where tickets all sold out.
Date: Through June 26, 2pm, 7:15pm
Venue: SAIC Shanghai Culture Square, 597 Fuxing Rd E.
Tickets: 80-550 yuan
Tel: 6472-9000, 6472-6000
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