It's Disney Live, and what could be more exciting than seeing your favourite characters come to 
life onstage.

Company manager Paul Norman has a long history with Disney, including big stints as a performer with Disney on Ice, and he still enjoys touring with the shows.

Now he looks after the logistics; the hotels, the visas, and all the travel arrangements, and says there are always bumps along the road, not surprising considering his time en route to shows varies in length from three to 11 months.

He describes Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin' Road Show as a "very fun show".

"Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy want to host a talent show but they can't find any talent, so they go on a road trip to find it" Paul says.

"On the road they find Cinderella, Tigger, the stars of Toy Story, to name but a few, and then Act II is all about the talent show as the characters take their turns to perform."

It’s the fourth year of the show, which has been travelling the world, and which is due to travel to Turkey and western Europe after Australia.

Imagining the cast brings to mind images of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, who performed in The Mickey Mouse Club, the American TV show that aired in the US between 1955 and 1996.

Paul says the show is somewhat similar (well, it’s produced by Disney), and they have dancers who back up the main characters in the show.

"Although Mickey pulls a few moves," he says, laughing.

The touring shows are huge productions, and typically take a year in the making in Florida, with writers, production and creative staff, before they leave the US.

The costumes for this show alone are worth about US$1 million.

"We also have a giant video screen at the back of the stage that helps us to tell the story," Paul says.

There are six touring Disney Live shows all around the world.

So what kind of songs can we expect?

All the Disney favourites, as well as some Lady Gaga and Jonas Brothers to keep the show up to date, Paul says.

He attributes the success of the shows to the Disney brand and the fact the characters are so loved worldwide.

"We've never been to a place where people didn't know the characters," he says.

"And it's a chance to see the Disney characters live."

The show, for children young and old, is a big energy extravaganza with lots of interaction between the cast and the audience.

There's even a part in the second act when people from the audience are chosen to get up close and personal with the characters.

Otherwise, there's plenty of time for play.

"It is the most fun to watch when I'm in the audience," Paul says.

"I love that the audience get out of their seats and there is plenty of jumping and dancing."

Paul's favourite number is the finale, for its sheer energy and because of the combination of all stories on stage.

"Everyone is on stage at the same time, which is a little unusual for Disney," he says.

"All the storylines come together."

 >> Disney Live! Mickey's Rockin' Road Show is at the Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday Feb 13. For more information visit www.ticketlink.com.au or call Ph: 1300 855 835.

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