Friday March 20, 2009
Not kids’ stuff
By SHARMILLA GANESAN
Putting together a Disney on Ice show like Princess Wishes is a task of monumental proportions.
WATCHING a Disney on Ice (DOI) show, you’d never realise the amount of work that goes into bringing that magical experience onto the ice – they make it seem effortless. Just step backstage and the sheer effort that goes into making each show happen becomes clear.
Coordinating about 40 skaters, the lighting and sound systems, hundreds of costumes and 16 tonnes of set materials is a feat in itself. Add the fact that the crew has to assemble and dismantle the entire set every few days as they move to different cities, and you’re talking about a task of monumental proportions.
Gig Siruno: ‘The sets are extremely important because they transport us into the different stories.’ This is precisely what happens behind the scenes at the Disney on Ice Presents Princess Wishes show, which kicks off today in Kuala Lumpur.
Speaking to various cast and crew members during their recent stint at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, it is apparent that bringing the much-loved Disney stories and characters onto the rink is no child’s play.
First is the challenge of keeping to the spirit of the original films, while not getting repetitive. Company manager Stuart Bertoluzzi, who has been with DOI for more than 12 years, says the creative team’s first step was to think of different ways of telling these familiar stories.
Princess Wishes revolves around the dreams and wishes of seven classic Disney princesses: Snow White, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Cinderella, Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan.
The show reenacts iconic scenes from the films to show the story of how each princess’ greatest wish comes true. Adding charm to the tales is one of Disney’s most adored characters, the pixie Tinker Bell.
“Tinker Bell has always been one of Disney’s most important characters, and we started looking at her as a way of giving the show a different perspective. This is the first show to incorporate her, and she ties all the different princess’ stories together,” says Bertoluzzi.
Princess Wishes’ principal skaters Brian Chimuk and Audrey Wong. The team has also worked hard to make the show appealing to both boys and girls. “When you think of the classics, you don’t think about the princes too much. Here, we try to balance it out,” says Bertoluzzi. “So you see Aladdin’s journey to meet Jasmine, and there are some thrilling scenes with Prince Phillip in which he battles a fire-breathing dragon to rescue Aurora.”
A vital aspect in pulling off these scenes is the sets and special effects. Performance director Gig Siruno says the eye-catching backdrops and props are one of the show’s highlights.
“The sets are extremely important because they transport us into the different stories. Here, for example, they take us from a bazaar to an underwater world to a beautiful castle. The wonderful special effects and pyrotechnics are also a special treat, and really give the show that magical quality,” he explains.
Adding to the fantasy are the beautiful costumes, which are often directly inspired by the films. According to wardrobe head Emily Smith, most of the costumes were made in New York, by costume houses specialising in Broadway shows. Princess Wishes features more than 750 costume pieces in total, with some pieces taking up to 100 hours to make by hand.
Emily Smith: ‘Some of the costumes can weigh a lmost 8kg, like the cutlery costumes for Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, so it’s quite a challenge putting and keeping them on. “It does get pretty hectic backstage, with some performers having less than two minutes to change into a different costume,” says Smith. “Some of the costumes can also weigh almost 8kg, like the cutlery costumes for Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, so it’s quite a challenge putting and keeping them on!”
Of course, DOI wouldn’t be what it is without its professional figure skaters, who truly bring the characters to life. Siruno stresses that it takes a lot more than just talented skating to pull off the roles.
“The challenge is to take all this talent as well as their personalities, put them together with the characters, and tell a story that the audience can relate to,” Siruno says. “A lot of character study is involved, and a lot of studying of the original films, because we are trying to recreate iconic moments.”
Skaters Audrey Wong and Brian Chimuk, who play Mulan and General Shang respectively, agree that the show is an extremely demanding undertaking. Prior to starting on Princess Wishes in 2006, they had six weeks of intensive training, and have been touring worldwide ever since.
Belle and her friends in Disney on Ice’s Princess Wishes show. “We need to keep in top form for the show because it is very physically demanding,” says Wong, who has been with DOI for seven years. “So we do all sorts of things to keep fit, like yoga, going to the gym, spin class, and of course, our regular training as well.”
Chimuk, who has performed with DOI for the past 10 years, adds that while the different routines and stunts are challenging, he also finds them very exciting. “We get to reenact epic battles, fly through the air, swing on ropes; I love it!”
The one thing that’s apparent is the amount of passion everyone in the show has for their work. Whether they are behind the scenes or taking centre stage, every single person seems to have been touched by a bit of the Disney magic.
“It’s for children of all ages, really,” says Siruno. “We all have our wishes, and to live vicariously through these beautiful stories is simply amazing!”
Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes, presented by Feld Entertainment and PR Worldwide Live, starts today and ends on Sunday. It will be held at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced at RM55, RM125, RM175 and RM225. To book tickets or for enquiries, call the Axcess hotline (03-7711 5000).
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