Karla Doorbar at Toxicator. Photo : Caters Photography

● Birmingham Royal Ballet Soloist Karla Doorbar has completed approximately half a million pirouettes in a glittering career 

● Toxicator subjects thrillseekers to extreme spin patterns and heart-pounding centrifugal forces 

● It is the park’s latest addition and officially opens on Saturday March 15 

One of Britain’s leading ballerinas has been left in a spin – after becoming the first member of the public to experience the extreme thrills of Alton Towers’newest attraction – Toxicator. 

Toxicator is the only topspin ride of its kind in the UK – with extreme spin patterns exerting heart-pounding centrifugal forces on those brave enough to ride it. 

Karla Doorbar, a Soloist with the world-renowned Birmingham Royal Ballet, was asked to put the record-breaking ride through its paces ahead of its official opening on Saturday (March 15).

She was approached as a result of her lifelong dedication to mastering spin in a profession that demands the ultimate strength and precision.  

The mother of one estimates she has unleashed close to half a million pirouettes in a career that has seen her spin across some of ballet’s greatest stages.

These include the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and BRB’s home base of Birmingham Hippodrome as well as multiple venues across Europe, Asia and America. 

Standing at a record-breaking 78ft high thanks to its setting on a 16ft elevated platform within the park’s Forbidden Valley, it is flanked by the ominous Nemesis Reborn, which was revamped last year after an incredible 18-month transformation.

Karla, 32, has had a lifelong love for Alton Towers Resort. Growing up in nearby Stoke-on-Trent she was a frequent visitor as a child – and as a mum to a 10-month-old daughter, is looking forward to many more trips in the future. 

She said: “Throughout my training and career I’ve devoted countless hours to perfecting the pirouette – whether performing on world-renowned stages or in the studio. 

“It has taken immense levels of focus over many years to develop the strength and power that this entails. 

“So when Alton Towers invited me to be the first to take on the unrivalled spinning power of Toxicator I jumped at the chance. Riding it is an incredible experience and will give riders an unrivalled sense of the intense power of spin.” 

Karla enrolled at The Royal Ballet School in London at the age of 11. After graduation she joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2011. Her career has taken her across the globe to Japan, Spain, Germany and the USA. Notable performances include her dream role as Clara in The Nutcracker, a role she has performed annually. 

Those brave enough to submit to the spin can do so from Saturday March 15 when the record-breaking ride officially opens. Guests can also experience the ride for the first time in the dark as part of the Alton After Dark event. 

Bianca Sammut, Vice President of Alton Towers Resort said: “Toxicator is the latest example of how Alton Towers continues to set new standards for heart-pounding attractions. 

“As one of Britain’s most accomplished ballerinas there are few people who know more about spins and pirouettes than Karla – which is why we are so delighted that she is amongst the first to experience the head-spinning thrills of Toxicator.”

To book tickets to be among the very first to experience the heart-pounding power of Toxicator visit the website.

Karla Doorbar at Toxicator. Photo : Caters Photography

Toxicator Fact File 

• The topspin ride will allow more than 500 riders per hour
• This double-sided version is one of only two in Europe
• Height restriction: 1.4m
• Green-lit water fountains on both sides of the ride 
• Total height will stand at over 78ft tall. This is due to the ride being elevated on a 16ft structure, that guests walk underneath (a world-first)