22 Dec 2023
We’re usually very strict about only covering events within the borders of St Albans district, but as it’s Christmas we thought we’d venture further afield to London’s O2 Arena in case there were families looking for something different to do between now and New Year’s Eve.
The concept of ice skaters parading around in costumes from Disney movies and cartoons while lip-syncing to popular songs might initially seem strange, but it’s tantamount to the professionalism and general showmanship of the cast that before long you forget they’re on skates and immerse yourself in the performance, especially when appreciating how totally enchanted the younger members of the audience soon are.
This year’s show celebrates 100 Years of Wonder, marking the centenary of the founding of what was then the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in October 1923, and it’s fitting that archive footage of “Uncle Walt” starts off the proceedings while introducing the quartet of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, characters who have endured throughout the company’s history.
There’s a loose umbrella theme of the gang prompting Mickey to reveal his favourite memory from the past 100 years, but really that’s just an excuse to trawl through some of Disney’s greatest hits, with bite-sized sequences from a variety of movies including Moana, Fantasia, Tangled, Toy Story, Encanto and the perennial favourite Frozen.
Judging from the number of Elsas and Annas in the audience the award-winning Arendelle adventure shows no sign of losing its place at the top of the favourite films list.
There are some spectacular set-pieces in amongst the singing, including some high-flying action by Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and Ariel which is all the more incredible considering they have to return to terra firma by skating on ice!
With some 250 different costumes on display throughout the show, you’d half expect the cast to be switching outfits between songs, and it’s only when they’re all on stage for the spectacular finale that you realise just how many people are involved, and what an achievement it is to attract such a large selection of phenomenal skaters.
Our three daughters range in age from four to 11, but each found a different level of appreciation, whether it be the chance to see Let It Go re-enacted before their eyes, enjoy powerful scenes from the epic Moana, or watch in awe at the world-class talent demonstrated on the ice, there was something for them all, and the adults too surprisingly!
Tickets are still available for upcoming performances through to December 31, so if you’re dreading the thought of how to fill Twixmas with a hoard of stir-crazy youngsters then Disney on Ice could prove the perfect solution: https://www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/disney-on-ice-presents-100-years-of-wonder
