THE seven Disney Princesses on ice, who played to a sellout audience at the Metro Radio Arena four years ago, are returning with a brand new show called Princess Wishes. Tinker Bell is the guide to further inspiring stories of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Mulan, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, as Feld Entertainment conjure up more magical family entertainment.

"Before dreaming up this edition of Disney On Ice, we reflected on what makes Disney’s princesses so special,"

says producer Kenneth Feld. "It didn’t take long to realise that every princess had one thing in common: each embarked on an adventure to find their heart’s fondest wish, and through believing, they come true. We wanted to share that inspirational message with our audiences by celebrating the stories of these enchanting characters."

Director Patty Vincent liked the idea of going back to the beginning for ideas.

She says: "Starting with a blank piece of paper then gathering ideas, finding music, working out the choreography and costumes – I really loved creating it from scratch.” Her favourite part of the creative process turned out to be Under the Sea number which combines bubble special effects with fantastic costumes and high-energy skating.

"The scene is even more fun than I imagined it would be," she says.

Costume designer Ilona Somogyi moved on to Princess Wishes from the hit Broadway production Spamalot, and switched from watching Monty Python footage to the original Disney films and some other, more unusual places.

Somogyi says: "For the Cinderella ball, Faberge eggs were the basis for the full-flowing waltz gowns. My underlying inspiration was the little girls who go to Disney On Ice shows dressed as their favorite Disney princess. Seeing them made me nostalgic and took me back to what dazzled me as a little girl."

Choreographer Cindy Stuart focused on Mulan teaching children to be tough and gentle at the same time as a dance highlight.

Stuart says: "We hired a martial arts expert who came and taught us some Tai Chi movements (which are very ethereal and slow) and some Kung Fu movements (which are quicker and stronger), thus creating the balance that the song describes and a very dramatic number."

Set designer Robert Little had a hand at crafting the dragon from Sleeping Beauty, one of the most exciting and dramatic elements. "There’s a thrilling surprise in store for the audience that will really ignite their interests and the ice itself,” he says.

■ Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, October 6 - 11, Tickets from £11.50, Box Office: 0844-493-6666 metroradioarena.co.uk ticketmaster.co.uk/disneyonice