“The Secret of the Treasure Island”: a marvelous story for your inner child

Haven’t seen Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas in a while? Well, the spectators in Chizhovka arena in Minsk, Belarus, had the chance of watching the famous Lithuanian ice dancers, at the end of December, in Ilya Averbukh’s ice show, “The Secret of the Treasure Island”. Telling the story of a princess captured by pirates and the brave heroes who travel the uncharted seas looking for her, the show was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book, Treasure Island, being performed for the first time at the beginning of 2012, as a New Year premiere. Since then, it travelled Russia and the surrounding countries, reaching the capital of Belarus on December 27th. A beautiful fairy tale on ice, with colorful sets and world-class special effects, one of the masterpieces created by Ilya Averbukh over the years.

by Florentina Tone

As the producer and choreographer Ilya Averbukh explained, “We live in a century of technologies and every year it becomes more difficult to surprise people. So I adhere to one rule: to create a qualitative and professional performance irrespective of a genre, whether it will be a musical on ice or a fairy tale for children. In my childhood I often played the part of a pirate, as well as all the other boys – and, in this show, I embodied children’s dreams”. With these words in mind, you’ll understand (and love) the fascinating sets of this particular show, with the ice rink turned into a fantastic city, then into a ship, then into a medieval tavern.

The story begins with the preparations for the magnificent wedding of a princess – but the pirates’ attack interrupts the celebration. More than that: the evil men kidnap the bride. This is, of course, the moment when the prince steps in, deciding to search for his beloved along with his loyal friends. The heroes travel the sea by their ship, meet the beautiful mermaids, fly over the water with the marine creatures, encounter the zombies – and, finally, they meet and fight the pirates. As in any other story, the good prevails and the princess is saved.

And what better choice for the role of the princely couple than the 2000 World bronze medalists, Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas? Alongside them, the young (and already famous) Muscovite actress Lisa Arzamasova, the ice acrobats Aidas Reklys and Akop Manoukian – and a great cast of skaters; among those, the 23-year-old Russian skater Daniil Gleikhengauz, the 22-year-old Vitali Luchanok from Belarus or the talented Maria Paliakova and Nikita Bochkov, representing Belarus in the pairs’ discipline in international competitions.

Need more proof that the show is a marvel for both the children and the adults loving figure skating? Just look at the photos from Chizhovka arena, taken by Alena Shukalo…