Interview with Byron Allen

producer Stars On Ice

By Mireille Geurts

Some time ago we had learned about the plans of Stars on Ice coming to Europe. This led us to wonder about some things. When the plans of SOI became final, we decided to see if it was possible to get some of our questions answered.
So we contacted SOI, set up an interview by phone, and here it is:

Q: Why did Stars on Ice decide to come to Europe?
A: Basically SOI has wanted to come to Europe for a long time. We have worked with Katarina Witt and her people and we have done some shows in Oberhausen for a couple of years. In april of 1999, 2000 and 2001we did shows in Germany every year. We haven't done any since then.

Q: Okay. And specifically to Antwerp?
A: We decided to come to Belgium this year because we have an office in Brussels, they run a tennis tournament and are able to be our staff in Brussels. So they can help us promote it. We have been working with Katarina's people, for her show, but we haven't really had people to do that in other cities. So we decided to come to Belgium, and then Antwerp was the arena (Sport Paleis) which made the most sense, based on our timing.

Q: Are you planning to do more shows in Europe in the future?
A: We hope so. This is a sort of a test. If it goes well, there is a good chance we will expand.

Q: Great! Will it be the same show as in the US?
A: No it will not. It will probably be a conglomeration of past shows. It will be different numbers from different shows we have done through the years. The show is being created as we speak. The cast will feature Katarina Witt, Ekatarina Gordeeva, Ilia Kulik, Kevin van der Perren and Shae-Lynn Bourne & Viktor Kraatz. And we will see from there. We will have more from there I am sure, we are still negotiating about that.

Q: Will it feature more European stars?
A: Yes that is the intention. We will see if there'll be others. At the time of the year in which we are doing it, there are a lot of things going on. All of the grand prix series, so people are training, as for their nationals and things like that. So it is not that easy to get the eligible skaters to do it at this point, at that point of the year.
We are really looking forward to come to Belgium!

*** Previously published by Europe on Ice