Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Vertical Influences Reader Review
Reader Review quote
Vertical Influences is well worth seeing, it was a really memorable experience.
Vertical Influences is a magnificent double bill performed by the five talented ice skaters who make up Le Patin Libre. The first piece starts with the five skating in synchronisation, until one of the party breaks away to do his own thing…the performance continues with themes of being together and apart, one of a group or an individual. The skating is wonderful, as you would expect from international-level figure skaters and the stunning performance is made even more special with the beat driven soundtrack, the creative lighting and the street dance attitude.
After an interval, the second piece is viewed from cushions and seats on the ice itself, giving a different perspective and an extra sense of being part of the show as the skaters rush towards the audience, just turning away in time. My children sitting on cushions at the front were sprayed with ice on occasion, which they found added to the excitement.
Vertical Influences is well worth seeing, it was a really memorable experience. Some stand out moments were watching the five skating as silhouettes through clever use of lighting, the skaters creating their own music with their blades and bodies and the beauty of the five skating as one.
My 7 year old daughter was spellbound throughout and had this to say: ' I liked the show. The skaters were amazing. They had had a lot of practise. They were very talented. They did it well to the music' while my son, who is 11, was equally engrossed and thought 'It was an interesting show combining their personal expertise in ice skating to tell a story about being in the crowd or on your own. I enjoyed it a lot and the two halves were a good idea. In the first part you sit where you would normally sit and the second half we were sitting on the ice. I liked it a lot.'
This is not an ice show, it is closer to contemporary dance, so while it is a U I would say it is probably more suitable for children around 7 and up, able to sit through the two pieces of roughly half an hour each. The listing for the shows recommends bringing a jumper, in fact I would suggest a blanket as well, especially for the second half when the audience is sitting on the rink itself.
Name of Reviewer: Abigail Fuller Date: 9th August 2015