USA/UK: Musical ice ballet based on the much-loved story "Beauty and the Beast" is wooing audiences at London's Royal Albert Hall

Record ID: 517102

  • Title: USA/UK: Musical ice ballet based on the much-loved story "Beauty and the Beast" is wooing audiences at London's Royal Albert Hall
  • Date: 11th April 1996
  • Summary: TARASOVA SAYING WE MET DAVID ESSEX FIRST LAST YEAR WHEN HE CAME TO SEE CINDERELLA ON ICE AND HE WAS REALLY INSPIRED BY IT. HE WROTE THE MUSIC VERY QUICKLY AND THIS IS A SPECIAL MUSIC, MUSICAL ON ICE WRITTEN FOR BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (ENGLISH)
  • Embargoed: 26th April 1996 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA9P8VKHWIJ1MW7AV48FLMKLS88
  • Story Text: A musical ice ballet based on the much-loved story "Beauty and the Beast" is wooing audiences at London's Royal Albert Hall.
    The 3 million pound sterling production is being performed by the renowned "Russian All Stars", generally acknowledged as 26 of the world's greatest ice skaters.
    The founder of the "Russian All Stars", Tatiana Tarasova, choreographed the show, written by playwright David Wood.
    Tarasova said performing in London has been a highlight for the much-travelled troupe.
    "I think it's a great honour for the company to perform in a venue like Royal Albert Hall," she said. "It's really thrilling to all of us." The show's music and lyrics were written by 70's pop star David Essex, known for more than 30 hits from "Gonna Make You a Star" to "Hold Me Close." The "Russian All Stars" feature former Russian, European, World and Olympic champion skaters and is renowned as the world's leading iceskating company.
    They had previously toured the United Kingdom with "Sleeping Beauty" and "Cinderella".
    The company spent four months rehearsing the two-hour show, which includes a 13-metre somersault and a trapeze routine rarely performed on ice.
    More than 200 costumes have been designed for the show.
    "Beauty and the Beast" will play in the U.K. until August when the group embarks on a European tour.
    Next year, the show will tour France, Germany and Austria before crossing the Atlantic and taking on the United States.
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