REVIEW: Disney on Ice – Dream Big at the Manchester Arena

Until Sunday

ONCE upon a time, two bored young princes put down their PS4 controllers and asked their father, The King, for something else to occupy their time.

The King heard tell of a magical show of ice and fire at Manchester Arena, staged by the Kingdom of Disney, and this did indeed please The Queen, who was still something of a princess inside.

They embarked the royal carriage and rode into the city, although privately The King worried that the princes – especially the eldest, so used to jousting in the land of Fortnite – may not be entertained by such wholesome fayre.

He need not have been concerned, for the show was a feast on the eyes and the senses which put smiles to the faces of even the most world-weary of subjects.

Disney’s tales were brought to life with bold sets vibrant colour on the ice and The King did rejoice, for he had not realised how many of the words he knew from the Moana soundtrack.

Wondrous costumes brought many much-loved characters to life – from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Tangled and Beauty and the Beast, not to mention Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Tinkerbell.

But The Queen did let out a giddy yelp when Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Hans took to the ice and re-enacted her favourite songs from Frozen, songs which were repeated manifold on the way home despite pleas from the King for her to ‘Let It Go’.

The royal family did marvel at the skaters, whose feats of grace and dexterity brought gasps and cheers from the crowd.

Two hours passed by in no time at all. A ransom was spent on sweets at the half time interval but this did not ruin The King’s mood, which was helped somewhat by a jug of ale.

Disney on Ice presents: Dream Big may be aimed at younger princes and princesses, of which there were many, dressed resplendently in crowns and tiaras. But the show had a timeless magic which appealed to all ages.

The King, Queen and young princes had no hesitation in giving it their royal seal of approval.

Marc Iles