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You can find magic even when you grow up
The Etihad Arena has never been more regal and that was our first impression when we walked into the Abu Dhabi venue to watch the new edition of Disney on Ice: Mickey and Friends last weekend. Because, there are many little princes and little princesses in the audience, wearing crowns and tiaras. Dressed in Disney character costumes, complete with belts, bows, mouse ears and more – they were the highlight of the show, and of course nearly 50 cast members were on the ice. The show, which runs from October 12 to 16, also saw Mickey Mouse. He joins Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy on a journey to discover his favorite memories. The two streamers/hosts have done a great job of keeping audiences engaged, using Mickey’s “mouse pad” to help everyone venture into areas of Disney’s story and share memorable moments from treasured stories.
Of course, there are all imaginable princesses, including but not limited to Moana, Rapunzel, Belle, Ariel, and more. We applaud when the characters from Toy Story and Finding Nemo move gracefully and quickly on skates. Anna and Elsa from Frozen were the highlights, and everyone sang along. In a lot of times, people almost forget that the characters are actually on skates, on the ice. Such is their deft, choreographed movement. Along the way, we set sail with Moana as she bravely saves her island on high seas adventures with the demigod Maui; the Sorcerer’s Apprentice brings the broom to life and experiences the mysterious magic of Fantasia. However, in some cases we did have difficulty hearing the characters’ voices (dialogue) and had to make an effort to listen carefully. However, it was a magical experience.
Before the show, we also interviewed Tya Greentree as Belle Skate, one of the main skaters on the show, to find out what goes behind the scenes to create magic on the ice. Taken from our interactions.
Why do Disney stories never go out of style, even if retold decades later?
I believe that Disney stories will never go out of style because there will always be a new generation of stories to tell and share. I think the message behind these stories is special, and parents want to share these amazing stories with their children.
Best moment for you?
My best memory is flying through the air the first time I played Princess Ariel in an ice skating show. It was such a wonderful and special experience.
What are the top three challenges of performing on ice?
I wouldn’t say there is a top three! A lot of my friends and I had a great time during the show. I would say the hardest part is not laughing with each other sometimes because it’s fun.
What is the difference between choreography on ice vs. on ice, and warm up vs. on ice?
Everything on the ice stagnated. We don’t have the same flow and movement. On ice, however, we can start learning new skills and techniques on the ice before putting them on the ice. I would say it’s easier to choreograph on ice because we have more freedom and feel for what the movement actually is than on ice.
It can be very cold there!
It may be cold, but when we warm up and start practicing, our bodies warm up and we no longer need to wear jackets.
How do you maintain your physical/mental health for such behaviors?
Lots of practice, consistency and patience.
The 2022 Disney story can feel like a throwback at times, things changed when Frozen came out, blue became the new pink, etc.; as an artist, how do you feel about that?
I think it’s great to show diversity and fit into our modern way of life, where everyone is different in their own unique way.
purva@khaleejtimes.com
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