IT IS hard not to be curious about one of the world's most popular ballets performed entirely on ice. And the reality is even more impressive.

The Russian Ice Stars - brought to Britain by Wild Rose - glide effortlessly through the magical Nutcracker tale.

The audience gasped as the waif-like dancers flew around the stage on wires and chuckled when the Liquorice Allsorts character, Bertie Bassett, made an appearance on skates.

The Christmas story of a nutcracker doll who comes to life leaves you with a feel-good glow, wishing you had spent your childhood zooming around ice rinks in pink glittery skates.

Most of the skaters started their careers competing at international level and many of their seemingly impossible spins and leaps look as if they have come straight out of an Olympic figure-skating routine.

In sumptuous, elegant costumes, the company takes you through an array of dances to Tchaikovsky's memorable music. From the fiery flamenco and exotic belly dancing to astoundingly-graceful waltzes and Russian Cossack dancing, one of the highlights of the show is the dance of the glamorous Sugar Plum Fairy.

The only downside was that the theatre was startlingly cold and most of the audience spent the entire production wearing their coats.

But the romantic ballet is so heart-warming that ten minutes into the show, you will hardly notice the cold.

Updated: 12:08 Thursday, April 24, 2003