December at Alexandra Palace can only mean one thing. Panto on ice.

This year - Figure Skating Coach, Becky Smith and her skating team will treat us to ‘Snow Queen on Ice’.

We appreciated the opportunity to ask Becky about the people who contribute to the success of Alexandra Palace’s ice show every year:

The panto on ice at Ally Pally has been a regular feature on the annual ice skating calendar for the past 23 years.

What inspires you to put on this spectacular event every year?

I've been directing and choreographing the show since 2008.

I think it's the combination of having a passion for the creative side of things and seeing the skaters have such fun whilst at the same time being able to showcase what they train hard at all year round.

It is a massive amount of work and stress so loving what you do is the key!

The sense of pride felt when you see your skaters performing well stays with you and is the inspiration to do it for yet another year. 

 

Please tell us a little bit about the cast.

The skaters all train at Alexandra Palace and have private lessons with either myself or other members of the coaching team. The minimum standard to be in the show is Skate UK Bronze for those aged 8 and over.

However, I do select a few little tots for the cute factor!

The two lead roles are Anastasia Vinnikova (aged 21) and Yasmin Tilly (aged 15).

Both the girls have represented Great Britain at international skating events.

Anastasia has just qualified as a coach and Yasmin hopes to follow in the footsteps of one of our previous skaters, who has gone on to join Disney on Ice, when she becomes old enough. The cast age ranges from 4 yrs - 21yrs. 

 

It must take the skaters weeks of intensive training to ensure the show is a success.

When do you all start to prepare?

I start to prepare in July. I do the casting, researching and writing of the story over the summer, along with choosing the musical numbers.

The cast start rehearsing from September but due to a lack of ice availability, we only actually get an hour of ice time a week on a Sunday.

Nearer the show we get a 3 hour slot to run it as a whole.

The rest of the rehearsals take place off the ice and we do about 4 hours off ice choreography a week. 

 

A lot of work must be involved. Who supports you and the skaters with preparing costumes and the ‘stage’?

I have a great support group of parents who are professionals in their various fields. They give up their time and energy in the form of scenery construction and artwork, costumes and chaperoning.

It's important to have a dedicated team around you that you can trust and who share the same passion as you do. 

 

Does the team have a lucky mascot?

We don't really have a lucky mascot.

One of our skaters sadly passed away a few years ago from a rare form of cancer aged just 17.

Every year we try and include something relating to her in the show.

Her name happened to be Alexandra and so this year we named the fairy tale land "Alexandra" in honour of her.

Not so much the little ones but the older girls definitely feel like she is their lucky angel! 

 

Who is your skating hero or heroine?

I wouldn't say I have a particular hero or heroine.

Competitive skating is so tough and I have an admiration for anyone who sacrifices things to give the amount of dedication required to succeed.

I worked with Brian Orser a few summers back who was a phenomenal skater in his day and currently has the reigning junior world, European, World and Olympic champions to add to his coaching CV; so I guess on second thoughts I'd say Brian's the one! 

 

Figure skating. Sport or art?

100% BOTH! It combines the physical demands of sport with the musicality and dance expression of the arts. Also whether you're a show skater or a competitive skater it's always a competition for that top spot. 

 

Thanks very much for your time Becky.

 

FAMILY DAY OUT

You can enjoy the Snow Queen on Ice at Ally Pally from 15th – 22nd December 2014

 

TICKETS:

Visit http://alexandrapalace.seetickets.com/tour/the-snow-queen-on-ice-christmas-panto-2014  or telephone: 0871 220 0260

 

TRANSPORT:

Bus: W3 from Bus stop A, outside Wood Green tube station.

Rail: Alexandra Palace

Road: Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.

Tube: Wood Green (Piccadilly Line) station.

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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