The Sleeping Beauty On Ice at The Civic

Reviewed by REBECCA BARRY

It's hard to imagine what the Russian ballet stars think of their ice-skating compatriots.

Do they scoff that their soft pointe shoes are replaced by metal blades, their pirouettes outdone by stomach-churning spins, their leaps superseded by near-invisible ropes that send the cast twirling above the stage?

If they do, Sleeping Beauty On Ice is not for them. Figure skating, after all, is as much a feat of gymnastic ability as it is of grace, even within the grand setting of the Civic Theatre.

Set to the rousing music of Tchaikovsky, this is the fairy tale about a princess condemned to eternal slumber, unless awoken by the kiss of a handsome prince.

It's easy to forgive the garish Cirque du Soleil-style costumes and set - technically, the production is flawless. The men don't just lift their partners momentarily, they balance them overhead with one arm, spin, flip and dangle them at precarious angles while speeding around the rink. It's easy to see why one move is called the death spin - a slip could have disastrous results, possibly for a member of the audience.

And as the skaters contend with a theatre-sized stage, the first few rows get the odd shower of icy particles, an intimacy impossible in a big, draughty rink.

Even so, the costumes look as though they've been designed to be seen from space, and with several bodies spinning against an equally distracting set, they become a bit of an eyesore after a while.

While some of the women look enchanting in bright, chiffon dresses, poor Lilac Fairy wears a fussy iridescent number that could have been poached from Barbie's wardrobe. Likewise, the men look like they're part of a drag cricket team - condolences to the guy in the pink skates and grape-coloured leotard.

Perhaps if it were a modern tale accentuated by vivid lighting, the costumes would work. And in fact, when the wicked Carabosse slides aggressively on to the ice, her face twisted in dark fury, the costumes - black, feathery and over-the-top - look superb. As do the neon blue "birds"on the trapeze.

Thankfully, what it lacks in subtlety it makes up for with sheer talent. The Sleeping Beauty On Ice is a dazzling night out indeed.