FROM Mickey Mouse to Buzz Lightyear, Disney characters from 18 stories will take to the ice for a spectacular celebration.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic skates into Manchester’s Phones 4u Arena, on October 15 to 19.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be joined by their friends from tales including Mulan, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story, as well as Disney Princesses.

Costume designer Scott Lane faced a mammoth task when asked to work with the long and varied list of more than 60 characters for the show.

He teamed up with Emmy Award-winning choreographer Sarah Kawahara to ensure that each would be comfortable to wear but without sacrificing style.

He said: “The more comfortable a skater is, the better the performance.

“Real people have to wear the costumes. They have to be able to skate as well as do jumps and spins.

“The wardrobe for the production must be flexible and breathable as well as able to withstand the continual moisture of an ice environment.”

More than 1,000 professionals from five costume shops were commissioned to create 147 elaborate costumes, adorned with thousands of sequins and a variety of colours and textures.

Scott added: “Narrowing a century into a two-hour production that doesn’t blur the mind was the greatest challenge of all but I think we’ve really captured the heart of those years in a way that will dazzle and delight audiences of all ages.”

Produced by Feld Entertainment, the gala celebration features a sing-along score of award-winning Disney music and stunning choreography by Sarah, who helped choreograph the skating segment for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Scenic designer David Potts, who has worked on numerous Broadway productions, creates a theatrical atmosphere on ice, featuring sparkling floats, a blanket of snow and a giant present.

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic is at the Phones 4u Arena, Manchester, from Wednesday, October 15 to Sunday, October 19.

Tickets cost from £14, call 0844 847 8000 or visit phones4uarena.co.uk.