The mastery of world-class skaters and the ever-improving technology used in the staging of Disney on Ice shows make Disneyland Adventure visually impressive.
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Like most of the Disney shows that try to cram in scenes from as many of the company’s films as possible, there is little dramatic flow, especially in the first half.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy step aside from their positions as Disneyland icons to join the visiting throngs on a tour of the “magic kingdom”. In act one this leads them and the audience to brief encounters with mechanical “dog” Stitch, dancing jungle monkeys and Baloo the bear, Buzz Lightyear, and a whirl with Alice and her Wonderland friends on the spinning teacups.
There is a lot of humour in Donald Duck’s misguided attempts to scare away a green crocodile (a performer with skates on hands as well as feet in an impressive display of skill) while they are on the Jungle Cruise and to defuse “explosives” on the tracks used by the runaway mine train.
The act’s highlight, though, is a scene set in the Haunted Mansion, where ghostly figures begin to appear and dance elegantly in what the host of the house calls, in deadpan manner, “a spirited celebration”. As couples waltzed among old furnishings, the eerie lighting made this a magical scene, though one that seemed to frighten some of the youngest children watching.
There was magic of a different kind at the end of the first half, as witch Maleficent appeared during the Disneyland parade, put Minnie and Donald under spells and carried them off to her castle.
In the second act, Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy Duck enlist the aid of super-hero family the Incredibles to help them rescue Minnie and Donald and battle Maleficent, her armour-clad minions and the Pirates of the Caribbean whom she has also enchanted. With a real story-line at last, the show moved briskly, featuring spellbinding ensemble routines by the pirates and minions. And the technical magic continued, with water sprays appearing to put out fires started by the witch in an awe-inspiring scene.
DISNEY ON ICE: DISNEYLAND ADVENTURE
Presented by: Feld Entertainment
Venue: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow (phone 49212121)
Season: Daily until Sunday at 11am and 2.30pm; also Saturday at 6pm.
