Disney tentacles have stretched far and wide in the century since the company’s early success with Mickey Mouse shorts and, working at the frontier of animation technology, the first feature length Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The creators of Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Wonder had a rich seam of material available from which to choose the content for the show, and they picked well, sticking to the animation catalogue and celebrating the old but predominantly focusing on more recent hits, including Moana (2016), Frozen (2013) and Encanto (2021).
Following the formula of previous Disney on Ice shows, 100 Years of Wonder is framed by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their Clubhouse pals, who use apps on the ‘Mousepad’ to replay Mickey’s favourite memories. Following the introduction segment, the show commences with a lively Toy Story tableau, featuring family favourites Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Rex and Hamm. This is followed by a captivating Moana segment in which Moana sails her capacious boat across the ocean with demigod Maui, recounting her quest to become a master wayfinder and save the island of Motonui with expansive, expressive choreography.
The first half of the show rounds off with a sensational showcase of almost every Disney princess since 1937’s Snow White, including staggering Rapunzel and Ariel the Little Mermaid who perform dazzling death spirals and pair lifts in Princess Jasmine and Aladdin’s sequence, and some sensational, high-speed aerial work from Rapunzel and Flynn and Ariel and Eric. Indeed, the various ways heroines were draped over and swung about by their partners was enthralling.
The second half of the show starts with an impressive recreation of the dancing broomsticks by Sorcerer Mickey in Fantasia (1940) featuring a turning chorus line of 16 high-kicking synchronised skaters in broom outfits.
This is followed by a potted version of the story of Nemo the lost fish, which retained all the charm of the original film.
The Frozen segment in the second half of the show is unquestionably a highlight, featuring pyrotechnics, theatrical fog, snow and a giant snowflake suspended from the ceiling. Watching Olaf in his natural habitat and seeing Anna and Elsa pirouette and camel spin together across the ice, is breathtaking to behold.
The ensuing Encanto sequence (seen for the first time live on ice in this show), featured some satisfyingly complex choreography, aerial work, and colourful skating from Mirabel, Alma, Julieta and Luisa.
The show culminates in a glittering finale that featured all the skaters, and a fond farewell from Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck and Goofy and the Disney chorale of Mickey’s Birthday Song, What We Got.
This is Disney on Ice at its absolute finest: an enchanting and spectacular ice-skating show that celebrates Disney's rich history and iconic characters from various films. The technical prowess of the skaters, showcased in acts involving aerial acrobatics and the most complicated choreographic sequences is astonishing to watch as they transition seamlessly between different Disney worlds. The show is fast-paced and visually striking, with eye-catching costumes and special effects. There’s something here for everyone, "doesn't matter who you are," in the words of Walt Disney himself.
Disney On Ice – 100 Years of Wonder on tour in the UK until 23 March
