by Su-jan

Here’s my review of the Ice Age show in Dusseldorf, Germany on May 3, 2009.

Again, just some random thoughts:

1. I think the hall was more filled in Mannheim (May 1, 2009) than in Dusseldorf. But there were still lots of people attending. Again, many, many Russians who seemed to enjoy the show. Nice atmosphere again!

2. For the opening number I was, of course, looking for Ekaterina’s famous ponytail again. Well, she had a hair hair down – just like in “Sex Bomb”. No ponytail, but still Ekaterina. Yeah! I was able to tape the opening – my camera was cooperating, but security was strict – so I couldn’t tape the other numbers. The security lady was really, really strict. It was bordering on rudeness, but she just did her job. And she did it well. She said that videos are not allowed, but photos are okay. Therefore, I mainly took pictures.

3. Egor was watching Ksenia and Povilas’ first number (”Fair”), but left when they took their bows / did their encore. I didn’t see him for their second number. Povilas was waiting for Rita. And Albena D. was pretty much watching everyone skate, especially in the second half.

4. I think I saw Maria Gordeeva again. Took a photo of her.

5. “Slow Star” – curious event of the evening: Ekaterina and Egor both fell. It was near the end. Don’t know why but suddenly Ekaterina fell and next Egor, too. It was so sudden. It wasn’t during a lift or throw. Just normal skating. Both got up quickly. At the end of this number Ekaterina usually takes Egor’s shirt. Well, this time she took it also but burried her head in shame… It was a cute moment. It looked like as Ekaterina hurt herself a little because during the bows she held her back a little. I just hope she’s okay! Because of the fall and a little shaky landing on the throw I think the Mannheim performance was a little better. Still it’s a gorgeous number! Oh, and she shrugged at the bows – as if she was saying “I have no idea how THAT happened!” As an encore they did the Reverie lift again and that other element. Afterwards, Egor kissed Ekaterina on her cheek.

6. “Love Story” – lovely performance! Really, really beautiful. I was lucky to sit close to the ice. Well, what can I say? Ekaterina has silent blades. She flies over the ice without making a sound. It’s sooo amazing. I think, she two-footed her second jump, but no fall. The rest was simply breath-taking. Wonderful.

7. “Vocalise” – well, Egor came out during Maria P. / Alexei T.’s performance. Shirtless. Yep, I got bare-chested Egor! He stretched himself (upper body, arms) and then laced up his boots. It took quite a long time before he put his shirt on. He started to button it up when Maria and Alexei were doing their encore. Gosh, Ekaterina and Egor skated the number beautifully again. It’s really a piece of art. I could watch “Vocalise” over and over. I’ve got a lump in my throat again. For their encore they played “Silver” again, they did a throw. Afterwards Ilia handed over the microphone to Egor, he said some short words, then Ekaterina made a speech. No idea what she was saying but I did hear the audience doing an “ohhhhh” somewhere. I’ve asked my seat neighbour and she said that Ekaterina declared that this is her last tour. I think – I hope – that the lady meant last stop of this Ice Age tour!!! If someone was there – does anyone know what Ekaterina was saying???

8. For the finale Ekaterina and Egor did the chair lift again with Maria and Alexei at their side. As it was the final show of the German tour leg, they did something special – they did a second chair lift and switched partners. Yep, Egor lifted Maria and Ekaterina was lifted by Alexei. Very cool! Once they got in line, Egor gentlemanlike hugged Maria and kissed her on her cheek, Ksenia left her place to hug Egor. Oh, I forgot – Navka and Roman K. closed the show – during their encore all the others were waiting at the side for the final number. In the dark I saw Ekaterina being lifted twice. At that time I thought it was Egor who wanted to practice the chair lift again, but it could have been Alexei (or both). The two guys were wearing dark shirts – so it was hard to tell. Anyhow, Ekaterina seemed really happy when Alexei lifted her in the finale.

9. Looking at the photos from the finale: In the last ones it looks like as if Ekaterina is fighting tears. Sniff… Oh, and did you notice her “bracelett” on her left wrist? Never seen that before. She was just wearing it for the finale. Looks like a hair band to me – I’ve noticed because I do the same, using hair bands as braceletts if I cannot store it anywhere else… Oh, for the finale, the cast skated around the rink and made “high” five (it wasn’t that high with the audience. I got several skaters, including Ekaterina and Egor. Yeah!

I had a great evening again!