Ekaterina Bokiy is a principle skater for The Russian Ice Stars and will appear in the company’s production of Peter Pan at the Bord Gáis Theatre from March 10th to 14th.
Tell us a little about what you do…
I am the principle skater so this means that I obviously have to perform in the show but also I take responsibility for ensuring the younger and less experienced members of the cast are comfortable, know their steps and moves and I am there to offer advice to anyone when they require it.
How did you get to your current position?
Lots of hard work and many years of practice, playing many different roles. When I was younger, I used to push a pram on the ice in Sleeping Beauty but I said to myself ‘I will be the best pram pusher that they ever had’. Over the years, I was given different roles but kept the same attitude that I have today. I want to do the best I can and will always rehearse and practice to make sure that I skate 100 per cent.
What is your typical working day?
I will wake up, eat some breakfast and stretch out some fatigue from the night before. We would then travel to the theatre where I will have 30 to 45 minutes of warm ups, before rehearsing for one to two hours. Then, I have to do my show make-up, get into costume and perform anywhere between one and three shows, before then going back to our accommodation for a well-deserved rest!
Why did you choose your current career?
I did not chose this career. Like everyone else, this is something that followed my competitive sport career. I learnt to skate from aged four and was lucky enough to represent my country at many events and won at the junior national championships. When I stopped skating in sport, I was given the opportunity to use my skills in a professional environment where I could earn a living. I took this opportunity and will continue to do this until I can skate no more!
What are the biggest challenges you face in your career?
The biggest challenge I have is that because we travel so much I do not get to spend as much time with my family as I would like. It is great to earn a living doing something that I love but I also have to be without something else that I love so much. This is a challenge everyday but luckily we have good technology now so I can Skype, Facetime and stay in contact with my son and daughter whilst I am working.
What are the most rewarding aspects?
Obviously getting paid to do something I really enjoy is a bonus but honestly, I get great satisfaction when people come and see our show and enjoy what we do, especially when people will ask for autographs and pictures. I will never get tired of this and am always happy when someone enjoys a performance that I have done.
Does your job involve a lot of travel?
Yes, we travel every week, all over the world for many years. I have been to many countries and many cities.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve been given?
I remember when I was very young, my coach always told me to practice harder than everyone else. I took this advice and still today will always make sure that I practice very hard to achieve the things I need to achieve.
What has been the one ‘pinch me’ moment of your career so far?
When I got the chance in 2014 to skate in a show with my son, who was nine. This was a special moment for me and one I will never forget.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about what you do?
People don’t realise that it takes many years to be able to do the things we train to do. Some people who watch ice skating may think that they could do this for a short period of time and be able to jump, spin and do some steps but really it takes many, many years to be able to perfect these things.
What is the biggest mistake that you think people in your chosen sector make?
A lot of skaters that do well in their sport tend to think that they no longer need to practice as hard but I think that everyone, whether you win or lose, should always practice hard so that you can try to be better each time you skate or perform.
Describe what you want to achieve in your career with one sentence.
I want to continue to perform the best that I can and always try every day to learn new things.
The Russian Ice Stars appear in Peter Pan at the Bord Gáis Theatre from March 10th to 14th. Tickets priced at €12.50 to €40 are available here.
