The first half of Sleeping Beauty On Ice was marred by four or five tumbles, and the skaters were starting to seem increasingly tentative when producer Tony Mercer called a halt to the evening.

The interval was taken early while technicians tried to repair the hole, but after a lengthy delay, the audience were called back into the auditorium to be told that it wasn't safe for the The Imperial Ice Stars to finish their performance.

Mr Mercer's profuse on-stage apologies brought a round of applause from a largely sympathetic audience who had packed the house to see one of the most ambitious Kings shows in recent memory.

The on-stage ice-rink takes 140 man hours to build, comprising 14 tonnes of ice which reaches temperatures of -15 degree C, three times colder than an average household freezer.

But on Tuesday the skaters – who boast more than 200 competition medals between them – found themselves skating on dangerously thin ice.

After the latest tumble just before the interval was due, a hand appeared stage right to stop the show. Mr Mercer asked for ten minutes to effect repairs and announced an early interval.

But half an hour later, he returned to call the show off for the night: "I can't show you my show how I would like to show it to you," he explained. "I can't show you the show in its full glory. I have just spoken to the manager of the theatre and have expressed to him that I would like to stop this show. I am really sorry to have to do that. It is the first time, but I think it is the best decision."

In consultation with the theatre, he offered the alternatives of a full refund or a chance to return to see the show later in the run which closes in Portsmouth on May 10.

"I am very very very sorry," he told the crowd, which responded with applause. "You have my humblest apologies", he added, before wishing Portsmouth the best of luck in the FA Cup Final – which prompted more applause still.