WHEN it comes to ice shows, The Imperial Ice Stars are the crme de la crme.

I spoke to producer Tony Mercier and two of the stars just before they opened in Birmingham on tour with The Sleeping Beauty on Ice, which heads for the New Victoria Theatre, Woking, from Tuesday, April 26, to Saturday, April 30.

This Russian company of 23 skaters are top-class athletes. Between them they've amassed no fewer than 41 gold, 17 silver and six bronze medals.

Forsaking the world of competitive sport for that of the theatre, they've turned themselves into dancers, actors and wonderfully-talented entertainers.

Take Olga Shrutenko, who plays the Lilac Fairy. She started skating at six years old. Her co-star, Vadim Yarkov, began at seven. They both attended sports schools where they turned a national talent into world-beating perfection.

Vadim says: "When I was 14, I was "discovered" and left home. Since then, skating has been my life."

He's tall, dark and handsome, every inch the handsome prince who wins the beautiful Princess Aurora.

"I would never go back to competitive skating. There are too many rules and restrictions," he says.

"Theatre gives me freedom. Now that I've experienced that, I'd find the sport on its own boring. This work is wonderful - although after a performance, I'm so wired up that I'm shaking and I never get to sleep until 3am."

Olga is a slight, fair-haired beauty who looks as if a breath of wind would blow her away. In fact, she's tough as old boots.

She has to be - it's a punishing schedule. Every performance day, the company rehearse for three hours before the show, honing their skills, perfecting their already-perfect technique.

"From 3pm to 6pm we practise. From 7.30pm to 10pm we perform. On matinee days we practise in the morning," says Olga.

"We're not just entertainers. We're athletes. We've got to 'feel' the ice."

The artistic director is an enthusiast. He's also a bit of a diplomat.

"Looking after the company and keeping them all happy is quite a formidable task," says Tony.

"They're such perfectionists. I need to defuse the tensions.

"What you'll see when you come will blow you away - Tchaikovsky's music, glorious costumes and aces who will accept nothing short of perfection.

"You come in at 7.30pm, you've paid a fair whack for your ticket, so you expect to see a good show. By 10pm, you'll be standing up to applaud.

"That's been happening everywhere we go. It's just so exciting."

What's certain is that, whether you're into musicals, spectaculars, ballet, sport or all four, you'll have a great night out at the New Victoria Theatre.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01483 545900. Log on to www.theambassadors.com/newvictoria for further information.