A mammoth undertaking

ONE OF THE top-grossing franchises of all time, raking in a massive US$2.8 billion at the box office worldwide, “Ice Age” is once again making its way to Bangkok. The latest incarnation though is not a movie – for that fans will have to wait until next year – but a live stage show that combines ice skating, acrobatics, aerial arts, puppetry and film.

It’s being brought to Thailand by BEC-Tero and although it arrives here after the kids have returned to school following the mid-term break, the 10 performances are centred over a weekend, thus ensuring the little ones will have plenty of fun. 

Recounting the adventures of an extraordinary herd of “Ice Age” characters, among them Manny the mammoth, Diego the sabretooth tiger, Sid the sloth and Scrat the sabre-toothed squirrel, “Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure” brings together a cast of 17 nationalities who, just like the animals in the story, have no trouble working as a team.

“I’ve been working as the artistic director for the ‘Ice Age Live’ show since it started in 2012. I think a lot of people around the world know the movie and love to laugh with the characters. We want people to meet all the characters in real life and the show allows them to do that,” says Natalia Belusakova, who hails from Slovakia.

A collaboration between Stage Entertainment and 20th Century Fox, “Ice Age Live” premiered in London in November 2012 before setting off on a five-year tour that aims to take in 30 countries. It has so far been staged in Europe and the Americas and most recently kicked off its Asian run in Hong Kong.

“I joined the European tour in early 2014 as an assistant tour manager and was promoted to tour manager on the American tour,” says Lechay Bekerman, who hails from Israel. “It’s the first time we are visiting Asia and we are very excited to be here.”

Unlike the much-loved “Disney on Ice”, which has been thrilling Bangkok audiences every year for more than a decade, “Ice Age Live” brings together a wealth of skills – ice-skating, acrobatics and aerial work – with some of the performers assuming more than one role in the show.

“We have 40 performers from 17 different countries including Japan, Hungary, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and the US,” says Belusakova.

“In the auditions, we focus on size, height and form as well as skills and techniques so we always have a proper balance. We also look at artistic presentation. We have lots of disciplines in our show –flying, acrobatics comedy, martial arts and dance – so everyone needs to be able to work as a team.

Against a backdrop of large LED video screens and a set designed to resemble an icecap, the story follows the adventures of Manny and his mammoth family, wife Ellie and daughter Peaches. Along with Diego and Sid, the gang is joined by two possums as they venture into the forbidden land where the grass is greener. 

“I’m responsible for the stage and all the technical aspects of the show,” says British stage manager Paul Diegnar. “We have all the characters from the original animated movie but the storyline is different. The props are designed for a spectacular show and include a complex system of lights, video screens and a platform on the ice that is radio controlled. It’s very complicated. We need two days minimum to set up the stage and lay down the ice rink and we spend at least 10 hours setting up the lighting, video and stage.”

The two-hour show starts with Manny’s family and friends dancing around the shelter at night and Ellie lulling Peaches to sleep with a song. Snow is falling gently from the sky, the flakes landing on the troupe of female acrobats in glittering costumes clinging to hoops.

Disaster strikes when Peaches is kidnapped by the snowy bird Shadow, ruler of the forbidden land, and his wild bird followers. The big bird and the little mammoth flying around the arena is one of the most exciting scenes in the show.

Manny, Sid and Diego set out to find Peaches and meet many new friends who lead them to the Enchanted Garden.

Another highlight is the arousing acrobatic fight between Diego and snowbird Shadow, which boasts some stunning martial arts moves. The show comes to the end when Manny brings baby Peaches back home safely as fireworks explode and the main characters glide around the ice stage to play with kids in the ringside seats.

“In each country we’re using the local language so that kids can relate better to the characters. We speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English in Hong Kong and will be using Thai for most of the Bangkok shows,” tour manager Bekerman says. “We are very excited about coming to Bangkok. We’re really hoping that you will enjoy our show. We can’t wait to see you all there.”

 

A COOL NIGHT OUT

 

- “Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure” will be at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani on November 12 to 15. The 11am show on November 14 will be in English; all other show will be in Thai.

- Tickets cost Bt600 to Bt2,500. Check www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Register at www.BecTero.com/concerts-ebent/iceagelive to receive a 20-per-cent discount.