Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes at the Echo Arena in Liverpool

Oct 1 2009 Chester Chronicle

All fans of Disney know that Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage and Aladdin’s three wishes are created using magic.

Pixie dust helps Tinker Bell fly, while Princess Aurora is sent to sleep for 100 years by a wicked fairy’s spell.

But, when the spectacular Disney on Ice comes to the Echo Arena in November, there will be a very human pair of hands behind the apparent enchantments.

Production designer, Robert Little is in charge of creating the perfect setting for the Princess Wishes show – a backdrop for revealing the dreams of seven Disney princesses, with special guest, Tinker Bell, whisking the audience from tale to tale.

“Most of the set pieces are influenced by her,” he says.

“She comes in on a trail of pixie dust to literally make these stories come to life.

“In the Aladdin scene, Tinker Bell causes the bazaar and marketplace to magically appear on the ice. And, for The Little Mermaid, she transforms the set into a seafaring ship with ropes, sails and cargo.”

Little used a great variety of materials to create Pixie Hollow, Tinker Bell’s home.

Lush with green hills inspired by the textures of the rainforest, the set transforms to far away lands – from the arid desert to a magical world under the sea.

A magical waterfall serves as the focal point for the production.

“Who wouldn’t be inspired to wish for their dreams to come true at such a beautiful, magical place in the woods,” says Little.

However, actually bringing this vision to life was quite a challenge.

He had to find a way to make the waterfall a cascading, multi-level piece, while it contained the water off the ice to prevent melting.

He also designed a larger-than-life dragon for the Sleeping Beauty number.

“My favourite part of Sleeping Beauty is when Prince Phillip battles the brambles and the dragon to get to Princess Aurora.

“To make the dragon really come to life, we decided to build it 20ft-long,” says Little.

“Skaters inside the dragon glide it across the ice which allows it to move and be menacing in all kinds of interesting ways.

“The effect is truly magnificent.”

Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes is at the Echo Arena in Liverpool from November 25-29. Tickets on 0844 800 3680.