★★★★★

WE ALL need something to help alleviate those post-Christmas blues. The new Holiday On Ice spectacular is the perfect answer to those needing a pick-me-up following the festive season. The show has been running in one guise or another for more than 70 years now but I cannot believe it has ever been so extravagant or entertaining.

Christopher Dean is in the choreographer’s chair for the first time and he has helped produce a masterpiece to rival his Winter Olympic gold medal winning dance with Jane Torville 33 years ago. One stunning dance follows another performed by some of the best ice skaters in the world and the music and innovative set combine to make a real blockbuster.

The Holiday On Ice franchise has a faithful following but there is a slight twist to this year’s show with a storyline tying the whole thing together. The modern take on Romeo and Juliet is pretty superfluous to the action taking place on the ice, to be honest, but keeps things ticking along nicely.

It’s a non-stop, colourful, carnival of fun and just when you think it can’t get any more amazing – fireworks explode from the performers’ skates! It’s that kind of show.