artsEternity - The Most Spectacular Ice Show In The WorldPhoto: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice showPhoto: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice showPhoto: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice showPhoto: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice showPhoto: Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice showIt’s easy to see why the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s Hot Ice show is described as ‘The Most Spectacular Ice Show in the World’.This year’s production Eternity combines sport and theatre and showcases the best in class talent with high-tech special effects, nail-biting stunts and mesmerising hand-made costume.As the light go down in the Ice Arena there’s an air of anticipation. The pulsating sound of drums in the distance gets louder and the excitement builds to fever pitch.A trail of flames covers the ice and 32 world and Olympic class skaters from over 12 different countries take to the ice carrying flaming torches and Eternity - The Hot Ice Show has begun.Hotter than ever this year its a fast, furious and an artistically creative masterpiece by producer and director Amanda Thompson.Thompson has been directing Hot Ice for 29 years but the show started life in 1934 with a show that was called ‘Marina’ in what was then The Ice Drome, the world’s first purpose built ice theatre.In 1936 Roy and Betty Callaway starred in the show. Betty went on to achieve fame when she coached Torvill and Dean to Olympic and World Championships.The show has been staged every year since 1934, missing only one due to Covid and was staged even during the dark days of World War II when there was a cast of 50 skaters.For the last 14 years the show has been choreographed by former World and Olympic skater Oula Jaaskelainen. This year Jaaskelainen has excelled himself and created technically perfect and visually mind-blowing choreography. It is now high tech and has moved with the times but it was great to see the company perform the famous wheel that has inspired many young children, including myself, to get their skates on and sign up for lessons.

Source: The Times July 22, 2024 00:11 UTC