Aladdin

DE Caversmill – ALADDIN

Having performed as Abanazar in Alan P. Frayn's Aladdin pantomime myself, I was very familiar with the script. Seeing the author after the show brought some fond reminiscing.

DE Caversmill have a true appreciation of the art of pantomime, so much so the Dameship was handed down from father Alan Hill to son Ian who has carried the family tradition on with much aplomb, here as Widow Twankey, working the audience well, great timing and ever present threat of coming to snog one of us.

He chatted afterwards enthusing about his amazing gowns and rightly so, his costumes were fantastic.

The passion he and fellow producer Debs Hill have for the theatre and the community is clearly there to see. The opening evening included a pre-show performance by the Silent Choir, together with complete show signing for the specially invited deaf audience, of whom the group have forged very strong links, bringing the joy of live theatre to one and all, with the whole cast joining in with signing the last big number.

Abanazar, Rob Mills, was despicably evil in this classic panto baddie role, playing the audience to great effect.

Aladdin, Kirsty Heath, was was spot on in her portrayal, cool, street wise, good emotional light and shade, fellow cast members hung on his every word. Good rapport with Oliver White as the hapless Wishee Washee and mum Twankey.

Princess Mandarin, Siobhan Hammond; had some lovely tight harmony duets with Aladdin, both sang very well, the Princess together with her lady in waiting So Shy, Madison Crowther, had an easy believable rapport, Madison also had a lovely distinctive singing voice.

The Emperor, Dan Lewis-Dayle pontificated well, I enjoyed the comic rantings of his trying to control the anarchic Chinese Policemen whose skating entry was brilliantly staged, Yu Dun Wong and Hu Dun Pong, Antony Clowes and Russ Williams respectively causing hilarious mayhem throughout proceedings - I loved it.

Costumes were stunning throughout, the standard set very highly early on particularly the Spirit of The Ring, Olivia Hope and her fellow magic being Genie of the Lamp, Becs Mills bringing a magical atmosphere to the show.

Melanie Fox-Crowther director brought out the best from the whole cast. As ever, strength in depth from the supporting cast members, helping to suspend your belief and create the mystery of the East in song, dance and dialogue. It is a real skill to play pantomime well, DE Caversmill do it very well time and again.

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