ABU DHABI // The Magic on Ice show makes its Middle East debut tomorrow at the capital's Zayed Sports City ice rink as the headline event of the Summer in Abu Dhabi festival. "We are very proud to be bringing the finest figure skaters in the world here to Abu Dhabi," said Steve Wheeler, the show's star and creator. "We have national champions from Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, United States and Australia as part of our unique show combining figure skating, theatrics and grand illusion."
The cast comprises 18 performers, including Wheeler and his wife, Tracey. The show has won worldwide acclaim for its illusion design and unique performance art. "It's going to be a spectacular display of magic, figure skating and a unique combination unlike any other show in the world," Wheeler said before a seven-minute preview for the media yesterday. Fourteen performances will be presented, starting at 8pm daily from August 1 to 15, except on August 9.
The hour-long show will feature an intimate solo, a dynamic acrobatic duet and performances by the entire ensemble. An "ice adagio" will be performed by two of Europe's leading ice-skaters - the Czech pairs champion Michaela Krutska, and the Polish pairs champion, Roger Lubicz Sawicki. The line-up also includes a hula hoop performance by Oxana Anichkina, a former star of Russia's Bolshoi Circus on Ice.
"It will be a breathtaking ice show performed by champion skaters," said Faisal al Sheikh, head of the events section of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which is sponsoring the Summer in Abu Dhabi family carnival. Brisk ticket sales suggested that the show would attract a large audience, he said. rruiz@thenational.ae