Bringing icons to life

MALAYSIANS will be able to enjoy the magic of the internationally-renowned Disney on Ice once again, after the show’s earlier visit to Penang last year.
This time, The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice show will be staged in Kuala Lumpur, returning to the capital city after five years.
Aside from Disney icons ­Mickey and Minnie, the show will ­feature ­characters from the ­classics like The Little Mermaid, ­Aladdin, Toy Story, Rapunzel, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as characters from recent ­Disney and Pixar animated films such as Frozen and Finding Dory.
During a press conference to announce the show that will be ­presented by PR Worldwide and Feld Entertainment, some of the ­performing skaters – Freddie Alain, Vika Tugolukova, Julianne Dimura, Michael Helgren and Kate Mahan – were on hand to expand on what fans can expect from the show.
Alain and Tugolukova, who will take on the leading roles of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine from ­Aladdin in the show, thrilled everyone with a short routine from their act.
This is Canadian-born Alain’s eighth year with the company. He has played different ­characters in different shows around the world.
“Most of our roles are very physical, but we are professional athlete figure skaters,” he said.
The majority of them are also former ­competitive skaters.
“[Working on the show] is less stressful [than competing] but you get to do more ­performances,” Alain added.
“We have an audience every day and we have more fun with the shows.
“[But] switching from one role to another [means] learning ­different tricks, learning ­different songs to sing to, [and] having different costumes, which can be challenging sometimes.”
Alain, who started skating at the age of eight, added that with experience, adapting to these changes has become easier.
In particular, it helps when you skate with the same partner for years. “I can just hold her hand and know where she is going to go,” he said.
When asked why people love watching Disney on Ice shows, Alain said: “I think everyone can relate to Disney movies. We have all grown up on them.
“There are 50 characters in the show. There is something for everyone to love.”
Meanwhile, Russian-born but American-raised Tugolukova has been with Disney on Ice for four years, playing ­characters ranging from ­Tinkerbelle to Rapunzel.
Tugolukova, who started skating at the age of three (she moved to the US when she was 10), said: “When I started doing shows, that’s where I found my passion for skating. There are so many roles for me to portray.”
For Dimura (she plays Frozen’s Elsa), this is her first year with Disney on Ice, and she is thrilled that she gets to play such a ­popular character.
“It is a dream role, honestly,” she said. “What I love about Elsa is the message she sends out to everyone, not just little girls. It is about being confident.”
Helgren (Simba from The Lion King) has had a prolific career on the ice. He has been with the company for nine years, played over 25 characters, and performed in over 39 countries.
“I have played Pinocchio, Prince Charming, and Aladdin [­before].”
Playing Simba presents an ­interesting challenge, because as the adult Simba, Helgren must ­incorporate animal-like ­movements.
“People still want to watch ­Disney on Ice because it is so relevant,” added Helgren.
“Each show is different, each show is unique, and every show has ­something special to offer.”
The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice will be staged at Stadium Melawati Shah Alam from March 24 to 26. For more, visit PR Worldwide website.