Dance review: Peter Pan on Ice

ICE dance has come a long way in recent years. The Holiday on Ice-style shows of the Seventies have been replaced with thoughtful choreography, genuine storylines and comfy seats inside a theatre rather than an arena. The two main players, in Britain at least, are the Imperial Ice Stars (recently seen in Edinburgh performing a poignant Swan Lake) and Wild Rose, currently in town with its re-working of Peter Pan.

Both share an impressive line-up of personnel, drawn from the world of Russian competitive skating. They also share a love of showy theatrics – which is just as well, as their audience does too. For all that we appreciate the skating in Peter Pan, nothing brings on spontaneous applause like a hula hoop of real fire whirling round a skater's waist or a somersaulting crocodile.

While the storytelling isn't always crystal clear, Wild Rose has added a nice addition in the shape of JM Barrie himself. Sitting at his desk at the side of the stage, he dreams up characters, then opens a giant storybook to reveal one colourful backdrop after another. Particularly touching is a short routine danced in perfect synchronicity by Peter Pan and his creator.

But this is an adventure tale first and foremost, which is exactly how Wild Rose plays it, with little emotional investment but a whole load of swashbuckling excitement.