IF you were wondering why a hunky rugby player would swap his jockstrap for a sparkly Lycra suit, buy himself an ice rink and bring an ice show to our Island, there are two very good reasons.
As the former England rugby international Kyran Bracken and star of his own show put it: ‘I love ice-skating and I love Jersey.’ And judging by the reception the opening night of his Ice Party had on Friday, Jersey loves him too.
What the ‘extravaganza’ delivered was around two hours of ice-skating spectacle delivered with faultless skill, athleticism, grace and energy – and Kyran. It was his party and his show and as well as the behind-the-scenes commentary, Kyran was out front chatting and joking with his guest skaters and introducing the acts.
The surprisingly intimately sized rink means that all the action was close-up and personal and the audience got a fantastic view of the performers. The front rows were literally within feet of a terrifying triple Salchow performed by the wild man of the show, Russian champion figure skater Igor Lyutikov.
Alongside the professional skaters were past participants in the Dancing on Ice series, including Clare Buckfield, who was runner-up to Kyran in 2007 and has been touring with Dancing on Ice for the last two years. But it was when Kyran and partner Nina Ulanova took to the ice that the audience grew ecstatic, murmuring ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as the couple skated to My Heart Will Go On from Titanic.
Choreographed by Robin Cousins, Kyran Bracken’s Ice Party is at Fort Regent on Friday 25 July at 8 pm, and Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July at 3 pm and 8 pm.nextpage
