Perfect ten
WHILE The Lion King continues to delight packed audiences at the Sunderland Empire, several miles up the road the enduring Disney tale is also being enjoyed – only this one is played out on the ice.
Simba and Nala, together with Pumbaa and Timon, join dozens of other favourite characters in an action- packed whizz through of some of Disney’s most celebrated films.
Scenes from box office smashes Toy Story and Finding Nemo wowed the young fans, while Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid were brought to life again for those of us who remember buying it on video in the early ‘ 90s. Even grandparents will have taken a trip down memory lane watching Pinocchio and Geppetto try to find their way out of a huge whale – cleverly constructed and brilliantly executed on the ice.
Even some of the films which, while clearly popular at the time of release – Mulan and Pocahontas to name two – but never really made it to the dizzying heights of The Lion King, reminded the audience that over the years, even without the talents of Tim Rice and Elton John, Disney has produced some cracking movie songs.
This is the second time we have seen Disney on Ice and it was just as good, if not better, than the first. The costumes are fabulous and the performers themselves are amazing on the ice, performing graceful and exciting moves effortlessly, all the while singing along with the songs.
Of course, the big star of the night is the most famous of all of Disney’s creations – Mickey Mouse – who, despite being little more than a narrator during the performance, received arguably the biggest cheer. I’m no Dancing on Ice judge, but it’s hard not to give this show a perfect 10. Strictly magic.