Ice: Direct from Russia

Blades of glory

By Mandy Hoskison

Ice: Direct from Russia at the Riviera presents an eclectic blend of skaters who put on an electrifying and entertaining ice skating show. Transported straight from the frigid city of Moscow, the show reflects the Las Vegas desert's warmth and vibrance, bringing an array of color, mystery and sheer talent to the stage.

Directed by Debra Brown, the show is adapted from Sergey Ryshkoff's Moscow Ice Circus. Combining sensuality with acrobatic and aerial feats, this fast-paced show will amaze you.

The skaters first appear in traditional Russian garb - black furry coats and hats - but soon reveal beautiful, sexy and unique costumes, and that's when the fun begins. Performing to a wide range of music and amid various stage settings, the performers make the most of the space, gliding effortlessly across the ice on stage and around an ice catwalk stretching around the first few rows of seats.

A compelling and dreamy kite sequence involves a man and woman dressed in white among all-white surroundings, where the kites eventually transform into wings, resulting in a stunning finish.

Musicians also take to the the ice, adding live music to show. Skating violinists lead the group into a Russian-style hoe-down, encouraging the audience to clap along. The music featured is as diverse as the skaters themselves. Everything from classical, R&B, techno and rock provide the musical backdrop for the sequences.

Set to Janis Joplin's soulful rendition of "Summertime," a limber female gyrates with a body full of hula hoops, and a mini light show adds to Pink Floyd's "Us & Them" while two skaters embrace one another in a sensual number.

In addition to the stretch of ice that wraps around lucky audience members, the Versailles Showroom also features tables and booths and giant screens behind the stage, as well as on either side, projecting imagery that adds to the visual and aural experience.

The show ends with a funky James Brown medley, where all 42 of the skaters are showcased in all of their glory, circling the crowd and catapulting one another from a giant see-saw on stage.

An amazing display of Russian beauty and talent, Ice: Direct from Russia places an exciting new twist on traditional ice skating shows.