With the launch of Hot Ice XC only a few weeks away, the cast of this year’s production has been revealed earlier today. Hot Ice XC is marking nine decades of ice shows at the park. In that time, The Pleasure Beach Arena has built a legacy for playing host to some of the best names in skating.
Alumni include Dancing on Ice professional Simon Proulx-Sénécal, former Olympian and now show’s choreographer Oula Jääskeläinen, and Robin Cousins MBE, who graced the ice following his Olympic gold medal triumph.
Hot Ice XC looks set to continue that tradition in style, welcoming 13 fresh faces into its ensemble of 30 skating stars, who have travelled from as far as Japan, Finland and America.
Among the additions are Russian pair, Apollinariia Panfilova and Dmirty Rylov. The duo bring an impressive resume to the line up, having claimed junior titles at both Olympic and World standard.
Also adding Olympic pedigree is Shawn Sawyer. A 2006 Winter Olympian, four-time national championship medallist and Cirque du Soleil performer, the Canadian returns for a second year to captivate audiences with his talents.
Alongside the internationally diverse cast, the production proudly celebrates its local roots too, showcasing homegrown talents James Horrocks, Nadia Craggs, Francesca Guerin and Jasmine Robinson.
Robinson’s inclusion makes her the third generation of her family to perform in Pleasure Beach ice shows. Her grandmother, Inge Robinson, previously headlined the show, while her father, two-time British national champion and former Olympian, Paul Robinson featured in its 1980’s iteration.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort and producer of Hot Ice said: “Hot Ice is one of the most physically and technically demanding shows around, to achieve that you need the very best. Our skaters are hand picked with the goal in mind of creating the most spectacular and breathtaking performance.
“We want to celebrate 90 years by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on ice and prove why skating at Pleasure Beach Resort will always be unmissable.”
Completing the cast of talented skaters: Moa Ronnholm ,Maika Sugihara, Maria Egawa
Marisa Yoda, Anna Kublikova, Airi Suzuki, Anastasiia Dubyk, Sophie Bijkerk, Veronica Deppi, Sofia Pucherova and Amanda Daniel.
They will be joined by male skaters: Reo Ishizuka, Lukasz Kedzierski, Matthew Markell, Shota Kajimoto, Nikita Lysak, Emilie Couture, Daniil Kiryakov, Corley Lovett, Lilian Binzari, Alexander Maszljanko, Jacob Nussle, Piero Joel Lopez Moreno and speciality act Alexey Kofanov.
The cast of olympians, world champions and acclaimed skaters will take to the ice on July 9, and will run until September 10.
Tickets are available via the park’s official website.