IF your only experience of Cinderella is a slapstick show during the Christmas panto season then now could be the time to look at this enchanting story from a different and more elegant angle.

Graceful performances in Cinderella on Ice, a classy, flawless production from the world-famous Imperial Ice Stars, could not be further from those delivered by pantomime dames and ugly sisters.

Set to a stunning new score written by contemporary composers Tim Duncan and Edward Barnwell, it is one of the most expensive and challenging ice shows ever created.

Breath-taking stunts and athletic, high-speed throws and lifts are evident from the start of this glittering production, certain to be a hit in a town which has had a long-running love affair with skating.

The all-action show takes place before a stunning backdrop with outstanding choreography and beautiful costumes.

The show has a cast of 25 world, Olympic, European and national champions who hold an impressive 250 competition medals between them. The standard of the skating is more often seen in an Olympic arena than on a frozen theatre stage in Bournemouth.

Young and old alike were on the edges of their seats, particularly when female cast members performed an entire routine on one leg each, allowing them to try the “glass slipper” for size.

The classic story is given a new twist with Cinderella thrust into the limelight as a prima ballerina when one of her evil stepsisters is injured during a performance of Swan Lake.

The Mayor’s son then sets out to track her down but is hampered by the actions of the evil stepsisters.

Cinderella on Ice is the Imperial Ice Stars’ third production and follows hugely successful world tours with Sleeping Beauty on Ice and Swan Lake on Ice The show, which runs for two-and-a-half hours including an interval, is on at the Pavilion until Saturday and tickets cost between £16.50 and £29.50. If you choose to splash out, you won’t be disappointed.