The long and
varied history of ice shows at Alton Towers started in the Winter of
1988. During the closed season the big top in Aqualand was
transformed into ice rink for the Christmas Festival, which hosted
the first Ice Spectacular starring Henry Hound along with his new
companion Henrietta.
When the festival
came to a close the ice rink was removed from the big top, which
became home to the Laser Adventure Show for the 1989, however the
popularity of the event meant it was repeated for several of the
following closed seasons, complete with a new Ice Spectacular each
year.
After the 1989
Christmas Festival, the ice rink became a permanent feature in the
park and for several season was the home to the Circus on Ice, a
fast paced show featuring top ice skaters and circus performers as
Henry Hound and Henrietta.
In 1992 the big
top complete with ice rink was moved across Towers Street to take up
residence in a new home next to Safeway Farm. When it opened in its
new position it also boasted a new show, Captain Henry's Gold: An
Adventure on Ice.
Everyday guests were invited to join
Captain Henry and friends perform live on ice in the big top. Magical song and dance, mysterious music and pyrotechnic effects filled the air. The show featured Henry, Henrietta and many superb skaters as the story of his adventure on the high seas was told.
Captain Henry's
Gold ran for just two seasons in the big top, since Henry Hound left
Alton Towers at the end of 1993. Peter Rabbit took over the big top
for his own adventures on ice.
