Ice Skating Shows: Must-See In Russia

Ice Skating Shows by Ilya Averbukh: must-see shows in Russia #travelrussia #russia

I suppose many of you have heard and visited famous Russian ballet performances. But what about ice skating shows?

Summer is over, and step by step we replace outdoor activities by indoor entertainments. Fortunately, autumn and winter cultural life are abundant and diversified. But if the cinema, theatre, and museum exhibitions are quite common, not everyone is yet familiar with ice skating shows. Let’s take a look at these spectacular performances!

At the end of October, one of the ice skating show was held in St. Petersburg’s sports complex “Yubileyniy”. The show was made by prominent Russian figure skater Ilya Averbukh and a whole “family” of legendary figure skaters. 

As a blogger, I had the chance to attend the press conference before the performance. It was a pleasure to see that despite the busy schedule, actors find time to meet bloggers and journalists.

We were happy to meet Ivan Righini, Alexey Yagudin, Dmitry Soloviev, and Yekaterina Bobrova. It’s always inspiring to communicate with actors and to know a bit more about their artistic life and the behind-the-scenes side of the shows.


Press-Conference: Behind-The-Scenes Of The Shows

I remember the time when me and all my family, with bated breath, were watching figure skating competitions with Russian star Alexey Yagudin. Alexey’s achievements are absolutely stunning: an Olympic champion, a four-time World champion, a three-time European champion, a two-time Grand Prix Final champion, a World Junior champion, and a two-time World Professional champion. I never thought I would meet this super-human being in real life 🙂

Though Alexey Yagudin said he had already turned the pages of his life related to competitions, can we, his biggest fans, neglect them? No way, Alexey, no way we’ll forget your feats.

Ivan Righini, Alexey Yagudin, Dmitry Soloviev and Yekaterina Bobrova answering bloggers’ questions before the show

However, life goes on, and nowadays sportsmen take part in other fabulous projects. For instance, Yekaterina Bobrova and Dmitry Soloviev, Olympic champions, European champions, World Junior champions, seven-time Russian national champions, will be playing leading roles in the winter ice skating show “Morozko”.

“Morozko” (“Father Frost”) is a Russian fairy tale about winter, magic, love and the importance of good deeds. Spectators are invited to the cold kingdom of old forest wizard Morozko. The main characters will visit the Far Far Away, the enchanted forest, see the real flight of the Firebird, and even light a fire right on the ice! The show is a mix of a magical story, figure skating, drama theatre and advanced scenographic technologies. I have already booked tickets, and am longing to watch it at the end of December!

READ: Ice Sculpture Festival In St. Petersburg, Russia

It was also a pleasure to meet the younger generation of figure skaters — Ivan Righini, a two-time champion of Russia among juniors, a finalist in the Grand Prix series among juniors, a four-time champion of Italy. Ivan Righini began his ice skating career in Russia but later moved to Italy. Surely, he was asked if there was something that he would like to bring to Russian skating shows from Italian culture? “Perhaps, a little bit of prosecco, — jokes Ivan. — All the rest is already finely done.”


Welcome To The Ice

We were going to watch the show named “Ilya Averbukh. 15 Years Of Success”. Since 2004, Ilya Averbukh and his star crew of figure skaters have created dozens of ice skating shows. And in 2019 they proudly celebrate their “teen” anniversary by a grandiose ice program.

“15 Years Of Success” unites legendary figure skaters: Yekaterina Bobrova and Dmitry Soloviev, Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas, Ivan Righini, Vakhtang Murvanidze, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Maria Petrova and Alexey Tikhonov… I thought that I have never seen so many European, World, and Olympic champions on one stage 🙂 Unbelievable!

The show consisted of 2 parts. The 1st part was dedicated to the sportsmen who have been taking part in Averbukh’s shows during all those long 15 years. Ilya in person presented all the artists and enumerated their multiple achievements. The 2nd part was a flawless non-stop skating program full of ice dancing, tender music, and the applause of fascinated spectators. 


What Is An Ice Skating Show?

Video of the ice skating show Romeo and Juliet. I hope to watch it someday!

As said above, “15 Years Of Success” is an ice gala show of the best figure skating solo and duet performances.

Besides, Ilya Averbukh creates figure skating shows that are not just a figure skating. Those are real dramatic performances with huge decorations and live music that complements the artists’ performances.

What makes ice skating shows so special?

  • The actors are sportsmen, many of them are champions of Europe, world champions, or Olympic champions. However, the shows are not about sporting achievements.
  • The base of the shows is dancing, but it’s not ballet.
  • All the shows have a plot. They are usually based on well-known classical literary works, such as “Carmen”, “Romeo And Juliet”, or “Wizard of Oz”.

To sum up, let’s say that a figure skating show is a unique mix of a marvellous stage play, high-class figure skating, music, special effects, costumes, and decorations.


3 Main Reasons To Book Tickets
For An Ice Skating Show

  1. Meet legendary figure skaters. I suppose that there’s no other way to see so many prominent sportsmen in one single show. Almost everything is done by the legendary figure skaters. 
  2. Take the chance to see something unusual. Though many of us follow figure skating competitions, I wish to underline once more: figure skating shows are not just about sport. Those are a mix of impeccable skating, special effects, music, and decorations.
  3. Be #1. I am sure that no one of your friends had ever attended such a performance. Be the first and spread the beauty of the ice skating shows among your buddies 🙂

Where And When To Watch Figure Skating Shows?

Here’s a schedule of the shows in Russia for the upcoming months:

Alice In Wonderland
Sochi: January 2-6

Romeo And Juliet
Krasnoyarsk: November 22-24

Wizard Of Oz
Moscow: December-January 

Morozko 
St. Petersburg: December 28 — January 7

Nutcracker
Novosibirsk: December 21-22
Irkutsk: December 28
Yekaterinburg: January 2-3

Pay Attention!
Carmen
, one of the most striking and spectacular shows by Ilya Averbukh, goes international! On 9 and 10 November, Carmen will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany.

If possible, don’t even hesitate and book your tickets for a figure skating show. Don’t miss the chance to spend a wonderful “ice” evening.


I have to mention that ice skating shows take place not only in winter but all year round. So check schedules and include this must-do activity to your Russian bucket list.

Ice Skating Shows: Must-see In Russia • Many have heard of famous Russian ballet performances. But what about ice skating shows? Let's have a look at these amazing events #russia #travelrussia #russiatravel #iceskating #figureskating