ALL my experience of ice-skating has come from the Olympics (a bit formal), Dancing on Ice (brave, but clumsy) and my own efforts (never let go of the side rail).
So to see this young Russian company of skaters hurtling around the stage at the Theatre Royal was a revelation.
They are totally fearless, spinning, somersaulting, leaping high into the air and all with a balletic grace which belies the limited space. The audience started out applauding when someone did something particularly impressive but this couldn't continue as we would have been clapping every 30 seconds, so all we could do was sit back and marvel at their skill and artistry. People were juggling with burning brands, doing the hula hoop with the hoop all aflame, fighting with swords - all without crashing into one another, falling on their bottoms or hanging on to the curtains. There was some athletic rope work high above the stage, too, with pirates spinning around heartstoppingly fast.
The costumes were excellent and the choreography, to an exciting original score by Silvio Amato, was brilliant. The pirates danced like pirates and the indians like indians, and everyone had a chance to show off their best moves. Captain Hook oozed gleeful wickedness, Peter was handsome and dashing and Tink was naughty and cute. The whole company gave 100 per cent and appeared to be having a terrific time doing it. I loved it.
* Until Saturday. Box Office: 0870-905-5060
Sue Heath
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