A STUNNING fusion of ice skating, ballet and circus skills delighted the first-night audience who cheered and loudly applauded the performers at the end.

Spectacular flying and flame effects added to the enjoyment in this latest touring production from the Wild Rose company, who premiered their first theatre on ice show 15 years ago.

The classic fairytale of Beauty and the Beast is presented in a new and exciting way by Russian stars who make one and two-handed lifts, back spins and swift turns look easy.

They make full use of the stage at the Victoria, which has been transformed into a rink.

Four tons of crushed ice was packed down and smoothed out with a top coating of water to make the skating surface. It was frozen with machinery outside the theatre.

Principal skaters Andrey Chuvilyaev (Beast), Olga Pershan-kova (Beauty), Valdis Mintals (Prince) and Mikhail Stifounine (Father) get perilously close to the edges at times.

Costumes are colourful and dancing is lively and highly visual, notably when strange creatures of the castle animate a scene reminiscent of Michael Jackson's Thriller.

As there are no words to go with the action, a narration between scenes keeps everyone informed of what is going on.

Silvio Amato provided the original music score and the producer is Vee Deplidge.

The show is on until Saturday, when there is also a matinee, which could well be performed to a full house.