There’s no one who can deliver a visual spectacle quite like Disney. The family entertainment giant have managed to sustain a place in the hearts and minds of the world for over 100 years. So it’s a little disappointing when the ice dancing version (running since 1981) fails to live up to the promise of the brand.
In 1oo years of Wonder, we begin with Mickey (clad in a Letterman Jacket) and his gang taking us back to the franchise’s very beginnings. On screen we see Steamboat Willie and Walt Disney himself introducing his beloved characters. Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Minnie dance alongside the company of skaters to some contemporary tunes including LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem. In this gigantic arena, not known for the quality of its sound (rather the opposite) the dialogue by the presenters and the audio from the big screen is almost completely inaudible.
The audience enlivens a bit when the first recognisable characters take to the ice. The Moana sequence complete with Maui and a large sailing boat, and the familiar strains of How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome, stir the tiniest in the crowd.
We have sequences from an array of Disney princesses: Merida, Mulan, Ariel, Belle and Snow White to name a few and a duet from Jasmine and Aladdin. Most successful in this sequence is the aerial work from Ariel and Rapunzel, who rise above the ice and twirl on silks above the arena. The Toy Story pals also fill the ice to the delight of the fans.
100 Years of Wonder also includes sequences from Frozen, Finding Nemo/Dory and Mirabel and her madcap family from Encanto. Despite the fact that these beloved characters are here in the flesh, the actual skating is less than impressive, there are few impressive or innovative moves.
Due to the constraints of the physicality required to execute the choreography, the costumes are somewhat underwhelming. More impressive are the tiny audience members who are an absolute delight dressed in their ball gowns and waving multi-coloured light sticks. This is a greater spectacle than what is on ice.
Lacking in the sparkle and magic expected from Disney, this is a competent but far from spectacular show.