Aladdin

Once again Broxbourne Theatre Company started their 2016 season with their annual Pantomime, the ever-popular Aladdin.  The audiences were once again treated to a very well produced and acted show, with many good performances.  

It is not very often that the villain is the star of the show, but Graham Duncan, who played Abanazar, was booed every time he appeared but it didn’t deter him from his excellent performance.  

Cera Rose Pickering, who played the leading role of Aladdin, gave a very accomplished performance with strong vocals and clear diction.

Princess Jasmine was delightfully played by Mary Kenealy again with strong vocals and the duet “Love is an Open Door” was one of the highlights of the show.

Her lady-in-waiting, Notsoshy, was brilliantly played by Sarah Earl who was completely at home with the characterization throughout. I thought the bright orange wig was just perfect. 

Scott Welsh burst out onto the stage with such energy and wit that the audience were immediately involved in his hilarious antics as Wishee Washee and the audience participation was well handled by both him and Widow Twankey. There were moments when I felt they were both running out of breath due to the pace at which they were delivering lines but it all worked out in the end.

Widow Twankey, was well played, in his own style, by Gordon Pownall, who somehow portrayed his part in a casual type of way, but the audience really got behind him.

The comedy was in the hands of the two policemen, Sergeant Chop and PC Suey, and was very well played by Sue White and Anne Sellwood.

The Emperor was well played by Ian Ellis-Hall, who showed authority over his people and most particularly his daughter Jasmine without appearing dictatorial. Well done.

All pantomimes have to have someone to keep order, and the Slave of the Ring was well performed by Rosie Hinwood although her ponytail did not suit either the character or the costume.

The Genie of the Lamp was well played by Daniel Stride and his rapping verses made me smile. However, the rapping, the American accent and the speed at which lines were delivered meant that at times some of the dialogue was lost and I would have liked him to have pulled back just a little. A lesson for this young actor to learn for the future I think.

The Magic Carpet was well done and floated across the star lit sky magically. Children near me loved it.

The audience were involved from the very beginning and out to enjoy the evening, being fully prepared to ‘hiss’, ‘boo’ and ‘cheer’ and join in at every given opportunity.

Chorus work was well structured and vocally they made a good sound. Footwork however, was not quite so good and some chorus members could not disguise the fact that some step combinations were a little too complex. My advice, less is more, this will keep everything lively and entertaining. The ‘Jason Kids’ were as always, a delight to watch in their novelty numbers and the ballet and did extremely well.

The scenery was really excellent and we had some excellent lighting and good sound effects.

Thank you once again for your generous hospitality and well done for yet another traditional Pantomime.

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