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Fantasy On Ice ’Unlike Anything Seen Before’ Says Legend Wheeler |
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Show Readies For Summer in Abu Dhabi World PremiereIt has been more than 10 months in the making, so when Fantasy on Ice - an original production that combines the mystifying world of magic illusion and the unique artistry of ice skating – opens its doors tonight (Sunday), Steve Wheeler, the man behind the spectacle, believes it will be a show unlike anything seen before. The UAE capital is hosting the world premier of Fantasy on Ice as part of the six-week Summer in Abu Dhabi family festival and Wheeler, who has been producing award-winning shows across the globe for close to 30 years, described the hour long production as “taking audiences to another world, where anything is possible”. With an international cast of skating stars from the USA, Austria, France, Ukraine, South Africa, Estonia, Canada, Italy and the UK, Wheeler is confident audiences will leave the show having experienced something truly magical. “We are premiering something new and fresh. We have drawn on ideas that have been in my notes for years, to create a spectacular that transports audiences to a fantasy world, that amazes, enthrals and makes audiences laugh,” said Wheeler, who will perform his famous magical illusions as part of the production. “What makes this show so unique is that we have added another dimension to the performance. In addition to using the specially-created ice rink as our stage, we are also going vertical, with performers playing out their roles suspended high above the audience. It is this mix of aerial master-class and world-class skating that makes Fantasy on Ice so enthralling.” One of the key acts of Fantasy on Ice - running at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s (ADNEC) Abu Dhabi Hall, the Arabian Gulf’s largest indoor entertainment arena until 15th July - will be the forest scene, where performers levitate to the top of a mystical 15 foot high tree to undertake a precision choreographed never-before-seen skating routine. “This really will be a show highlight, the art-like form of the setting, the creative blend of skating, magic and acrobatics and the enchanting costumes will create a visual display that will amaze,” said Wheeler, whose has entertained millions of people in over 4,000 performances across America, Europe and Asia. “The great thing about Fantasy on Ice is that it is designed to appeal to families and is as engaging and entertaining as possible. One of the acts allows kids to come out on the ice to interact with the show and the performers. We also have characters that use puppetry and comedy to really involve the younger audience.” Leading the stellar cast will be aerial ice artists – Fiona Kirk and Volodymyr Khodakivskyy – who will perform awe-inspiring displays high above the rink as top male lead, Zabato Bebe, brings his unique storytelling to the ice in his signature charismatic and highly-athletic performances. They will be joined by stars, Lucie Stadelmann and Sylvian Longchambon, who will demonstrate spectacular strength and power in a beautifully choreographed tandem act. A 400 square metre, state-of-the-art portable ice rink – the first of its kind to be used in the Middle East – has been specially developed for the production. Using revolutionary aluminium-based technology, a full layer of high-quality ice, capable of accommodating the show’s spectacular cast and their never-before-seen-routines, can be achieved in 18 hours. The company behind the rink, Germany’s Ice Business, offsets the power consumption to maintain the freezing temperatures via green-energy producing windmill-powered plants in Europe. Fantasy on Ice is the latest international production to run as part of Summer in Abu Dhabi 2010, which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and runs across the emirate until 4th August. Having already hosted the world’s most successful cultural dance show, Lord of the Dance, Summer in Abu Dhabi also sees the Middle East debut of New York’s award-winning ‘Big Apple Circus’, one of the world’s largest, from 23rd July to 3rd August. It is expected to be a major highlight of the festival with its gravity-defying trapeze artists, hysterical clowns and awe-inspiring acrobats. “This really is family entertainment at its best. To have the world-premiere of Fantasy on Ice and the regional debut of the Big Apple Circus speaks volumes about how Summer in Abu Dhabi has grown. With our largest entertainment and attraction offering, coupled with our amazing ‘one-for-one’ deals promotion which includes more than 30 hotels, restaurants and activities, this is one of the hottest summers yet!” said Faisal Al Sheikh, ADTA’s Events Manager. Adult tickets for Fantasy on Ice are AED200 with children’s tickets, for youngsters under 12 years, costing AED75. They can be bought at ADNEC and via www.boxofficeme.com. As part of ADTA’s ‘one-for-one’ promotion around Summer in Abu Dhabi, for every ticket bought, another one is given for free, meaning twice the fun for families. The show begins daily at 8pm, with doors opening from 7.30pm onwards. For more information, please log onto www.summerinabudhabi.com |
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