Aladdin

Another good traditional pantomime following a well-known story, put together with attention to detail by Paul Woodhouse, and incorporating all the required ingredients of story, comedy timing, well-matched casting, and lively performances.

            Opening on a dark note, Tom Key relished the ‘baddie’ role of Abanazar with good menace inviting many ‘boos’ and plotting hard for his desires and almost succeeding. And in the ‘magic’ stakes, a delightful Slave of Ring from Beth Robertson and a ‘faster than light’ dynamic Genie from Josh Francis.

            To the comedy side (which included several ‘set pieces pf pantomime’ including the ‘parcel of china’, plus the inevitable ‘spider’ behind) and all very well executed. Good timing from a large and flamboyant and colourful Widow Twankey from Rob Whattam, more than well supported by OTT Wishee Washee Zac Sowter in a high moving performance full of energy and interaction with the audience (we enjoyed looking after his duck). How brilliant to pair Maris McCann and Alexandra Tranmer as Minnie and Winnie Wong, the laundry assistants, an unlikely alliance almost Teedledum and Tweedledee but how well it worked and brought out the comedy with clever different timing (and a good support team in the chorus numbers).

            To the Palace, Ian Taylor as One Long Pong playing well as the major domo/chief man in charge and with some funny lines to enhance; Laurence Barnett as Ru Ling Yu the Emperor had a strict and regal role; and a delightful Princess Lotus Blossom from Laura Butcher with the looks and the voice, all necessary towards the plot.

            And in the title role, Aladdin, Katie Woodhouse showed all that is special in a principal boy with looks and style and presence, the voice, the acting, the dancing skills (she choreographed too), that extra something that thrills as it comes over the footlights.

            As a company, the big numbers were performed with energy and projection and movement and should be applauded as this feeling of enjoyment in what is happening on stage came over to the audience.

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