“I can still skate”: Christmas ahead of time with Philippe Candeloro at the skating rink in Troyes

For a successful show, nothing should be left to chance. Philippe Candeloro, former Olympic bronze medalist in Lillehammer and Nagano, knows this better than anyone. This Thursday, October 12, he came to the Troyes (Aube) skating rink with his technical manager who handles the lighting. It is here that the Candeloro Show Company will present their show “Sand Merchant on Ice” on the first weekend of December.

“We’re looking at what we can put on the ceiling, how we’re going to configure the room… We’re going to optimize it by adding 300 more seats than the bleachers we have today (250 chairs). In fact, we will be in a somewhat confined space, theatrical style. The hockey windows are about to explode. We have a huge background. It is important to immerse the audience in a stage space that completely immerses them in the story. At 360 degrees we wouldn’t stick to the same concept at all! »

“A real stylish show Holiday on Ice »

Philippe Candeloro is in charge of the overall vision, and his wife Olivia is responsible for directing a troupe of 25 artists, including dancer Maya, his youngest daughter. “I’m more interested in the commercial aspect, production, logistics,” explains the skater. And also from a feeling, a feeling that will help perpetuate Candeloro’s DNA…” Philippe Candeloro knows the city of Troyes well, having often visited the old skating rink in Parc Expo in the past. “Plus, we could buy some cheap clothes!” – the artist recalls, amused, recalling factory stores, one of the city’s specialties.

After attempting a career as a producer at the end of his sports career, an adventure that jeopardized his family’s financial situation, the multiple French champion focused on television, as well as the Candeloro Show Company. “This is a training school for the entertainment world and does not have a label at the moment. Young people are represented through a real show, style. Holiday on Ice, with a beautiful lighting design and sound system, making people immersed in a truly magical universe. »

Recently had surgery on both hips.

The performance of the play on December 1 and 2 at the Seine skating rink no. 3 represents a rather rare opportunity for the Trojan audience, since Philippe Candeloro’s troupe usually plays only for workers’ councils or town halls, often for a short period of time. annual holidays. “We’re going to offer Sand Trader on Ice. We created this show to tell the story of the sleep stages,” explains the artist. From a nightmare to a dream, something like Disney, “so people can say, I’m going to go to sleep on Christmas Eve, and when I wake up, everything will be wonderful. »

“That’s not a lot Dreams before the day begins ! It was Nelson Monfort who told me to say this because he speaks good English! “, laughs the figure skating consultant from France Télévision. Everyone will be able to recognize themselves in the performance, intended primarily for children. “People over 50 have even told me they shed a tear. “Santa Claus will be there… Philip Candeloro too. “I’m the icing on the cake… or rather, the Yule Log!” » Having recently undergone surgery on both hips, the 52-year-old showman can no longer perform as long as before. “But I can still skate. What we’re going to offer the audience is Kandel’s number at the end of the show. I don’t want to hurt representation Sand seller, because it’s a fairy tale on ice. I don’t want to disrupt the rhythm of the show, but I will offer something to my viewers, because I know that they always want to see somersaults on ice,” the artist smiles.

“Sand merchant on ice” at the Seine 3 skating rink in Troyes (Aub). A performance for schools on Friday, December 1, and two performances for the general public on Saturday, December 2, at 15:00 and 18:00. Information about candeloroandco.fr. Prices and reservations for maisonduboulanger.com.