Not all heroes wear a cape – some let it go, make a splash and keep the magic alive!

Yes, it's that time of year again. Grab your Mickey and Minnie ears, wave your magic wand and slip into your sparkliest outfit — Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero is skating into Utilita Arena Sheffield for a magical pre-Christmas treat, writes Graham Walker.

It’s the only Yorkshire venue - so families will be gliding in from all over the region for 11 performances, over five days, from Wednesday to Sunday, December 17 to 21.

BUY NOW: Tickets have been skating right off the shelves, with an extra date added due to huge demand. Don’t miss out — tickets are available at www.utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.disneyonice.co.uk.

Elsa and all the Frozen stars will take to the ice at Utilita Arena Sheffield | Feld Entertainment

placeholder image — Elsa and all the Frozen stars will take to the ice at Utilita Arena Sheffield | Feld Entertainment

Dazzling skating, breathtaking aerial acrobatics and timeless Disney storytelling, audiences can expect all this and more as we discovered on a visit to rehearsals before it arrives in the city.

We were given an exclusive look behind-the-scenes — to find out more about this amazing production, its sparkling costumes, incredible props, and to chat to the inspirational performers, who bring the enchanting show to life.

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero | Feld Entertainment

From the charm of Encanto, the waves of Moana, the frosty magic of Frozen, and classics like The Little Mermaid and Tangled, families will experience the heart and heroism of Disney — live, dazzling and twirling before their eyes, says the show’s marketing manager Alan Brussolo, from Mexico.

The Little Mermaid Disney on Ice stars Ariel and Eric on the ice together | Feld Entertainment

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy set the stage for an adventure filled with tales of courage from your favourite Disney stories — and for the first time, in a decade, mischievous alien Stitch, from Lilo & Stitch is back on the ice, confirmed Alan.

Find Your Hero, he explained, is a brand-new adventure where audiences discover what it truly means to be a hero through Disney’s most iconic tales.

“We bring a different show each year — this time including favourite moments from Encanto and Frozen, of course, because it’s the the public’s favourite,” he said.

“We’re going to have princesses, like Belle, Ariel and Rapunzel, and we’re going to have a big surprise — Stitch is coming into the show. He’s going to be a little mischievous, causing a bit of trouble, but always in a fun way.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Disney On Ice magic to Sheffield so close to Christmas. Not every audience gets to experience that. Sheffield is also the only Yorkshire date on the tour. This year’s show has been very popular.

Mischievous alien Stitch is back on the ice for the first time in a decade | Feld Entertainment

“There’s been so much demand that we had to add a new performance. There’s still a chance to buy tickets — so grab them while you can.”

The talented Disney On Ice cast rehearse for more than 550 hours to perfect each performance and. A dedicated team of choreographers, set designers and costume creators produce over 200 props and more than 200 costumes, using thousands of yards of fabric.

Together with the magical set, everything is transported in 14 trucks from city to city, taking 10–15 hours to set up.

British-born skater Thomas Turner, from Farnborough, part of the show’s ensemble, is thrilled to be back performing on home soil.

Props and costumes bring the production to life, says British born Dancing On Ice skater Thomas Turner | FRL

He explained the importance of the stunning props and costumes to help bring the stories to life, adding colour and sparkle on the ice - items including a huge ice cube, from Frozen and vibrant flowers from Encanto.He also revealed how bright, reflective costumes light up performances, from glowing Encanto outfits to a high-energy rock-star-style number worn in the opening routine.

“The props and costumes really elevate the story,” he said. “They make it beautiful to watch. We have an amazing wardrobe team that travels with every show, repairing and maintaining everything. They’re such a talented team.”

Moana embarks on an action-packed voyage with mighty demigod Maui | Feld Entertainment

He told how performers also love to see children in the audience dressed as their favourite characters.

Thomas said: “We bounce off that energy. We love audience interaction — standing up, singing along and dancing to all your favourite Disney songs.”

He grew up watching Disney On Ice and hopes to inspire young skaters to follow in his skate tracks and become Disney On Ice skaters of the future, saying. He smiled: “If you wish upon a star — meaning follow your dreams, put in the work and give 100 per cent — everything is achievable.

“To return home and perform for family and friends means the world.”

Feld Entertainment | Snow joke losing your head - Frozen fun in Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero

Also excited to return to Sheffield is Myles Storrier, from Dundee, who has fond memories of competing in the British Figure Skating Championships at iceSheffield before touring the world with Disney On Ice.

He now stars as Kristoff from Frozen, performing alongside Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

“It’s a great role, and there’s definitely pressure to get it right,” he said. “We rehearse a lot to perfect the choreography. I’m lucky enough to open the Frozen segment with a fun, energetic solo full of jumps and tricks.”

But his favourite moment in the show isn’t in Frozen — it’s the jaw-dropping Spanish Web routine, a circus-style aerial act on a single vertical rope, when The Little Mermaid’s Ariel changes from a mermaid to a human.

Skater Andrea Fahlander, from Sweden, explained: “The Spanish Web goes really, really high. Ariel transforms from mermaid to human in a beautiful routine of tricks, movement and incredibly fast spinning. It starts on the ice, but the transformation happens high above it.”