European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 16, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Irina Grigorian photographed through a prism spins through a scene from Robin Hood. Holiday on ice continued from Page i i Metal blur with the Speed of her gyrating body before flinging them through the air and Over the Heads of four skaters like a ring toss. Carmen the Best act of the night begins with Grigorian gliding across the ice her Long dark hair and White peasant dress streaming through the air As she portrays the seductive Carmen. The act also includes a Solo performance by american skater Laurie Miller and the British pair of Alan towers and Lisa Bradley. This is the first time that artistic works such As Carmen or Robin Hood have been adapted to an ice show said Holiday on ice spokesman Siegfried Schaefer. The fact that a movie version of Robin Hood is currently showing had no bearing on the Choice of the Robin Hood legend for the show Schaefer said. The music of Carmen will probably strike a familiar note with figure skating fans. Olympic skaters debt Thomas and Katerina Witt both skated to the music during the figure skating finals in the 1988 olympics. After intermission the somewhat disappointing second half of the show begins with the Story of Robin Hood who is played by russian skater Mikhail Panin. The handsome Panin excelled luring his Solo performance in Carmen but his talents were obscured by the mass confusion of Robin Hood which Basit ally consists of two chaotic fight scenes that leave the audience wondering where to focus its attention. But the colourful costumes and effective Forest setting make the play a pretty sight. It is an Oft the ice performance by los argentines that is the most entertaining event of the Sec Ond half. Dressed in dashing red and Blac k costumes tin Trio gives an upbeat performance e while standing on a platform in the Middle of the rink. The Trio whirls Bolus cords with heavy balls attached to the end a and Bonne t s them off the floor in time with the pounding of the Drums and the stomping of their boots. A grand Tingle Complete with fireworks ends tilt 21 Gligur show. The Holiday on ice show continues Al Che Frankfurt fest Hahe through sunday Bot Ore moving to Cologne ticket prices in Frankfurt Range irom 18 Inais about $12 to 44 Marks about $29. Tickets Are halt Price Tor children 14 and under. For More information Call the fest Halle ticket office Al 069-744 4010 after Cologne this company goes to Dusseldorf and Karlsruhe in Germany and Antwerp Belgium while another troupe will be in Vienna and Munich Berlin and Kiel Germany for dates venues and Telephone numbers. Check the Calendar listings on Page 16 during this month and next stripes Magazine january 16, 1992 russians Irina Grigorian and Mikhail Panin acknowledge applause after completing their routine in Robin Hood. Irina Grigorian hair and costume flying swoops Low during Carmen. How to # get on the ice interested in becoming a professional skater and seeing the world As a member of the Holiday on ice cast maybe you can. More than 100 skaters Are hired each year from among the approximately 200 men and women around the world who audition for the show based in Bern Switzerland. Skaters who land a Job in the chorus line sign a four year contract with a beginning salary equivalent to about $360 a week said Christa Schmitt who screens applications and arranges auditions. The skaters Are paid in local currency and must pay for their own room and Board. There Are two ways to obtain an audition. Interested skaters can Send their application to Schmitt and she will arrange an audition when the ice show performs near the Hometown of qualified applicants. The application must include a resume and a photograph. The second Way is to go directly to one of the shows and ask for an audition. To be eligible for an audition a person must be a trained figure skater who is at least 1 7 but not older than 26. Schmitt said skaters must also meet the minimum height requirements of 5 feel 3 inches for women and 5 feet 8 inches for men have a neat appearance and a Nice figure be Able to perform All types of dances and have a passport. Some of the figure skating moves that would be required in an audition include Forward and backward skating cutbacks All stops spirals running on lots splits rhythmic dance Steps Bunny hop Waltz jump and a Forward upright split. Applicants who done to pass the audition the first time need not worry because some skaters have auditioned As Many As three times before being accepted Schmitt said. She said some people attend ice shows to help prepare themselves for their american Clown Bill Wall performs a skit during a routine called Charleston club. Audition it they failed the first time. Most people join the show because they enjoy skating performing and travelling openings exist each year Bec Ause Many people do a tour year stint and then dec Ide to return to a Quot Normal life Quot Schmidt said. She said that Amer ii an and Canadian skaters have the most difficulty Bee Ause of the big adjustment they must make adapting to the1 european lifestyle and its language barriers. Applications c an be mailed to Christa Schmitt International Arena productions b.v., a ent Weg 1 7, ch-3006 Bern Switzerland. For More information c All 31 -81-70-71 if calling from outside Switzerland he sure to add the proper c of nary it ode. A Chuck Roberts january 16, 1992 stripes Niaga us