The Moscow leg of the Snow King 2 tour has nearly drawn to a close, with one final performance to go of the fifteen that began just after Christmas (please see all the previous amazing photos and videos here and here).
My dear friend Elena Vasileva has attended nearly every rehearsal and performance in her capacity as an official photographer for the show, and has kindly shared with us another huge batch of exclusive photos today. This series is absolutely mesmerizing, and I found myself literally at a loss for words in trying to come up with a headline for this post (besides just HEY HERE’S SOME MORE UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL PICS, which certainly wins for clarity but lacks a little something in the poetry department).
So I asked her, after having seen Johnny skate the role of Kai over and over these past few weeks, what words she might use to sum up his performance — forgetting for the moment that Elena is Russian. She is quite fluent in English, but it is often difficult to find the right words to convey the impact of Johnny’s skating even in one’s native language, let alone someone else’s. And I’m asking her for a phrase that would resonate with a mostly non-Russian-speaking audience.
She responded immediately in English: “Endless perfection on ice.”
I couldn’t agree more in any language.
For more gorgeous Snow King 2 picspam, please visit Elena’s Flickr album.
PART 1: Kai, Gerda, and the Snow King’s Carriage
PART 2: Enchanted Kai at the Snow King’s Palace
PART 3: Gerda Comes to Rescue Kai
PART 4: Finale: ‘When the Ice Melts’
BONUS VIDEO!
Interview with Zhenya during the cadets’ master class. At about 1:16, Zhenya is asked what is the best age for a child to begin figure skating. He says: “In speaking of elite athletes, it would be ages 3 to 4. But there are unique cases. For example: Johnny Weir. He started skating at the age of 11 or 12. That is late, but he became a top athlete, he won the World bronze medal, he was a multiple US national champion. A uniquely talented person can begin even as late as age 11, but it’s easier for a child to start as early as possible, at ages 3 to 4.” Special thanks to Elena Vasileva for the translation! Please enjoy random Johnny in the background throughout the interview.
Video link.
Brief lolworthy clip from the end of the cadets’ class.
Video link.
Video of Kai and the Snow King’s chess game from one of the January 4 performances. Watch for the booty bump at about 1:48. And watch Zhenya try not to crack up. Then watch it again. And again. And again...
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More video of Kai and the Snow King’s chess game! Sadly, no booty bump, but a wonderful program even so.
Video link.
Very special thanks to Elena Vasileva for the exclusive photos!
