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Lack of a natural focal point is often the death of an ice show, but Romanza has a cool, modern feel. The ice is never congested by the chorus whether camping it up in a stone age gym, going air borne batty in Dracula or as warring families Montague and Capulet in Romeo & Juliet. Space and speed give us a sense of liberation from the dull rules of every day gravity. And disbelief is easily suspended when personalities like Igor Lyutikov, a born leader with perhaps more enthusiasm than technique, the superbly serene Lady in Red of Lisa Brewin or virtuoso Frederic Dambier turn their outrageously silly escapades into beauty and fun.

Then there is former England Rugby International, Kyran Bracken. He won ITV’s 2007 Dancing on Ice and decided to go professional. A more toe curling scenario is difficult to imagine. Yes, his jumps and turns are execrable and watching a middle aged father body popping fills anyone with profound unease. But maybe his unpretentious bloke-ishness is the point. Bracken appears acutely aware of the rare honour it is to dance with a talent like Ulanova. He is serious, intent on doing an honest job well and at all costs letting no one down. These are attitudes men can relate to and most women hanker for. Far from becoming a dangerous liability, Bracken provides a few moments of refreshing normality among the froth.

But reality is what we are rink side to escape and Romanza serves its purpose in spades. Frederic Dampier, a natural dancer and communicator, heads the show’s finale as the white ball rattling and bouncing round a roulette table, His immaculate timing and cheery disregard for the normal rules of physics brought the evening to a close and yes, the home going crowd did sport a wide and silly grin plastered all over its face.