Skating team returns with magical world of Hollywood movies
Following the success of the striking «In Concert» show two years ago, the ice-skating expert team Holiday on Ice returns to Athens with an even more challenging show, called «Hollywood.» The show will open at the capital’s Badminton Court of the Olympic Complex in Goudi on May 12 and performances are scheduled to run to May 24. «In Concert» took numerous audiences on a breathtaking journey through music and dance from different countries and also featured a live orchestra. This time, «Hollywood» lives up to its title and focuses on the magical world of movies, bringing to life some of the most popular films of all times – always accompanied by the appropriate music. The show’s program is a journey through filmmaking history and covers all aspects of 20th century cinema, from action movies, historical dramas, comedies and silent films to epic productions, Hollywood’s golden age, musicals and science fiction. The music accompanying the choreographies closely follows the plot of «Hollywood;» audiences will be able to enjoy such uplifting musical classics as «Fame» and «Footloose,» romantic melodies like Celine Dion’s «My Heart Will Go On,» and much more. The spectacular show is directed by Anthony van Laast, a talented director who attended London’s School of Contemporary Dance and then went on to direct productions all over the world, including the «Siegfried and Roy Show» as well as «Hair,» «Grease» and many others. In 1999, van Laast was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his contribution to dance and choreography. The choreographer of «Hollywood,» Robin Cousins, has also been awarded an MBE. Cousins is a former Olympic champion and three-time winner of international championships in the early 1980s. Apart from his successful career with Holiday on Ice, Cousins has participated in other performances, such as «Cats,» «The Rocky Horror Show» and others. In a recent interview, Cousins presented «Hollywood.» «All 50 participating ice skaters are special and highly talented and that’s why it was very creative and refreshing to work with them,» he said. When asked what he considered most important when choreographing, Cousins pointed out skaters’ individual styles and personalities: «You must never forget the person that you are creating the choreography for.» He said that it was quite unlikely for him to return to the ice-skating rink as a dancer, since he now only skates for his own pleasure and is content to watch his team perform, but he did not rule out the possibility of working in another musical, as he has done in the past. «I would very much like to return to the stage at some point, but for the time being my obligations and my interest for Holiday on Ice take up most of my time.» London fashion designer Bonita Bryg designed the costumes for the performance. Bryg has worked as a stylist for ’90s boy band sensation Take That, as well as Eternal, Louise, Lulu and Level 42. Among the ice skaters participating in the production are: Craig Heath, one of the best professional ice skaters worldwide and a bronze-medal winner at the World Professional Championship; Alicia Cavanaugh, winner of the New England Ladies Championship; and award-winning pair Sherri Kennedy-Borowiecka and Slawomir Borowiecki. The Badminton Court is situated at the Military Park in Goudi. For ticket information, call 210.884.0600 and 210.921.3360; you can also log on to www.onice.gr.
