Julian Deplidge’s multi-tasking skills would have most mums dribbling in envy.

Not only is he responsible for moving an entire award-winning show all over the world, but he has to make sure the 25 skaters and 14 crew are at the top of their game, oh and did I mention constructing an ice rink in each theatre they visit… from scratch?

“Everyone thinks it’s a huge and complicated task,” Julian laughs, “when in reality it is quite a simple process when done properly and everything goes to plan.”

And Julian is quite used to it now: “We have toured almost non stop for the last three years having only six weeks off in total. We generally only stay one week in each town so we are always either on the move or performing a show.

“Trying to sustain that is hard work, but a good audience will lift our spirits so we make sure every show is as energetic and action-packed as the opening night. It helps us remember why we keep doing it.”

And with rave reviews for the company’s latest production Snow White you can expect a spell-binding family show which promises to be both lavish and spectacular.

The Russian Ice Stars bring the original story of an enchanted mirror, a beautiful girl, the ultimate Prince Charming and a shiny red apple to life on ice, with ballet, gymnastics and aerial aerobatics creating a breathtaking and mesmerising experience.

So how come the performers are so good? “All our performers have competed nationally and many have competed in the Olympics, Worlds and Europeans,” Julian explains.

“In fact we have more former World and European competitors than any other touring theatrical ice show.”

And yet time and time again it’s the Russians who seem to master skating so magnificently. Why is that?

“If you look back through the medal tables of major competitions the Russians have dominated for years,” Julian agrees. “They have brilliant training techniques, coaches and more importantly a real desire to be the best. Because of this, most of the performers are from the big skater producing cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, with a few from the former USSR countries such as Estonia and Ukraine. We also have one French girl and three times British champion John Hamer.”

But however, good they are, Julian still maintains a tight training schedule. “We generally do 10 hours a day, six days a week, which includes a strict warm up and dance class. But when we are actually touring we rehearse between two and four hours a day depending on the show schedule.”

And The Russian Ice Stars still love coming to Oxford and seem to find time to let their hair down after the show. Has that got anything to do with a certain person’s birthday?

Julian laughs: “I have spent my last three birthdays in Oxford and look forward to celebrating it in Oxford again this year.”

And one last question, before he has to get back to the Herculean task of bringing the Russian Ice Stars to Oxford’s New Theatre tonight – can you skate?

“I used to play ice hockey as a kid and always thought I could skate. Then I started working with the Russian Ice Stars and quickly understood I cannot.

“But I am lucky enough to work with some of the most talented performers in the world and each scene still gives me a tremendous amount of pleasure to watch.”

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