Contributed by Laura Reid

cirque on ice

The skaters lace up before the auditions. (Photo 1 courtesy of Laura Reid)

November 3, 2009 - Singapore's figure skating community got an exciting first glimpse of the new Arina Stadium Waterfront when the producers of Reverie: Cirque on Ice auditioned 17 hopeful young local skaters for a role in the spectacular new ice show coming to town on November 27th.

The Reverie show represents a new standard of cooperation among Singapore's sports, business and arts communities. The 2,000-seat temporary arena was custom-built by Arina Hogan Builders in only a month to meet the producers' needs for the 37-show run of Reverie in Singapore. Singapore Indoor Stadium, the promoter of the show, worked with the producers to create a role in the storyline for a young local ice skater.

It is the first time that skaters from Singapore will be performing in a professional ice skating show in Singapore.

"Not every young athlete will take the same pathway in sports, so I am happy to see that there are options such as this that go beyond pure competition," said Alex Chan, Chairman of the Singapore Sports Council. "It is good to see our youth participating and being challenged in a sports entertainment event."

All skaters who took part in the audition have been invited to train with the cast from Cirque on Ice when they arrive in Singapore later this month.

Chosen to alternate the role of the young Princess Aurora during the 37-show run of Reverie in Singapore were: Joelle Chiam, Akari Kinoshita, Gazel Lee, Charmaine Lim, Leticia Marsh, Louise Sides, Alexandra Skillen and Linda von Atzigen.

The international producers from Cirque on Ice had nothing but praise for its partners in Sporting Singapore.

"It has been an extraordinary process working with Indoor Stadium and Arina Hogan," said Patrice Marques, Producer of Cirque on Ice. "The creativity, the engineering, the collaborative problem-solving have all been extraordinary. We are looking forward to opening night!"

Leading the initiative was Denise Marsh, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Not only did she work with Cirque producers to create the role for a local skater, she also liaised with Richard Tan, General Manager of Arina Hogan, to develop the exhibition rink.

"The Arina Stadium Waterfront is a 1,854 square-metre masterpiece of construction that beautifully meets the technical and artistic demands of Cirque on Ice," said Mrs Marsh.

About 100 people at the press conference were treated to an on-ice performance by Jonnansical Boo, the president of the All Stars Figure Skating Club. Jonnansical will also be working as a technical advisor for an ice skating reality show that will be filmed at the Arina in the coming weeks as well.

For the skaters, the audition with Reverie was a life lesson in performing under pressure and dealing with both success and disappointment.

"I think I must be dreaming I am so happy," said an ecstatic Gazel Lee, a 10-year-old member of the All Stars Figure Skating Club. Charmaine Lim from Henry Park Primary School got teary-eyed at the news that she had been selected for the performance.

The 17 skaters were put through their paces at the audition by Reverie choreographer Richard Swenning, who has worked on ice shows around the world.

"Choosing only eight skaters was extremely difficult," said Richard, who had quickly built an easy rapport with the kids during the ice time. "They all were charming performers, and it was easy to see how much the kids love the sport."

Joining Richard on the judging panel for the audition were Patrice Marques and Heather Totorikagoena, a former ice dancer with Disney on Ice.

"It was so much fun and such a positive experience for me," said 12 year-old Bramina Braet, who was gently informed that they loved her skating, but she was too tall for the role. Not even her flying camel spin into a pancake could change the fact that she was taller than the skater playing the role as an adult.

"Richard couldn't have been nicer about it. He made me feel great even as he was saying no," Bramina said. "I have absolutely no regrets about trying out. It was a privilege to be able to show them what I could do."

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