Olga Sharutenko, star of Sleeping Beauty on Ice

A Kent stage will be turned into an ice rink this week for a new production of Sleeping Beauty on Ice. Kathryn Tye spoke to its star, ITV’s Dancing On Ice professional Olga Sharutenko.

Bringing the character of Sleeping Beauty to life in the latest production by the Imperial Ice Stars is a far cry from Olga Sharutenko’s last role – partnering Keith Chegwin on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.

The professional skater managed to get the 56-year-old TV presenter through to the seventh week of the show last year before they were voted off and describes it as a great experience.

Russian-born Olga, 35, said: “I first took part in Dancing On Ice in 2006, partnering John Barrowman, after its producers came to watch an Imperial Ice Stars to find some professional dancers, and I was lucky enough to be one of those they chose. I didn’t do it after that because I was busy with work but last year it was perfect timing for me to come back. Keith was a wonderful partner and I’m proud of what we achieved. The first day I met him he said ‘I have never done anything physical in my life’ and I thought ‘oh that’s a great start’. Although he was not a natural, he proved so many people wrong and took it so seriously – although he’s not the most serious person. It was hard work but enjoyable.”

A lot of hard work has also gone into preparing for Olga’s current role as the star in Sleeping Beauty On Ice.

She said: “I feel privileged and lucky to be playing Sleeping Beauty. It is a figure skating show but figure skating is our language to tell the story and bring its characters to life. We tell it without words, just with movements. We have a cast of 26 skaters and there is such excitement created by the speed we travel across the stage. When it comes together, the athleticism of figure skating is breathtaking.”

The show has been staged by the Imperial Ice Stars, the company Olga has worked with for the past nine years, travelling around the world and performing in a variety of different productions.

Sleeping Beauty is set to Tchaikovsky’s score and the cast of Olympic, world, European and national championship skaters perform a dazzling display of high-speed lifts and throws, aerial gymnastics and stilt skating – with a dazzling backdrop featuring fire effects.

Olga said: “I am lucky because I get the best of both worlds. I missed Dancing On Ice when I wasn’t in the show but I also missed performing on stage, so to be able to do both is great. I know at some point I will have to retire from skating, as much as I love it, probably to teach but I am planning to have fun while it lasts.”

Sleeping Beauty On Ice is at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from Wednesday, May 1 to Sunday, May 5. Tickets from £22.50. Call 01322 220000.