Aladdin

Aladdin is one of the favourite pantomimes which gets performed at this time of year and with an exceptionally hysterical and well written script from Roy McGregor, this was an excellent version.  The show was packed full of hilarious traditional panto gags, modern jokes, excellent one-liners, and brilliant characterisation.  Playing the title role of Aladdin was Ewan Pringle who brought bravery and charm to this principal boy role, playing opposite Reece Thomson as a feisty and strong Princess Jasmin.  Reece and Ewan’s vocals in their musical numbers were beautiful.  Leading the comedy from start to finish was Ross Adam as Widow Twanky.  Ross gave a superb Dame masterclass performance; with his excellent control of the audience, fantastic one-liners and brilliantly executed jokes.  His experience and ease in the Dame role was oozing from the stage, but I will not forgive him for picking on me at the start, so unexpectedly I didn’t have time to make up a fake name!!  Providing a second love story in the show was that of Wishee Washee and So Shy.  Ross McDougall as Wishee Washee used his slapstick facial expressions and comic timing were funny and he was very engaging when working with the audience.  Opposite Ross was the hilarious ‘neddy’ Adidas stripped kimono clad So Shy played by Zoe McFadyen.  Zoe cemented herself as a comedy genius with her performance.  Every moment on stage was in full character and became scene stealers, and her feature sections in “How Will I Know” were amazing.  Continuing the comedy were Jenny McKay as the Empress and her handmaiden Anne Allan as Nannee Annee.  Jenny commanded the stage in her side-splitting characterisation and worked well with the equally funny Anne.  Keeping everyone in check were Jane Killin and Julie Cassells as PC Ping and PC Pong.  The physical comedy in these roles was first-rate.  Giving the audience their target for boo’ing was Murray Constable as the evil Abanazer who reacted well with the audience throughout.  On the spiritual side of the cast were Stewart McTaggart as Genie of the Lamp who used camp humour to give an entertaining take on this part,  and Aly Lamond as the fabulous Spirit of the Ring who sang, danced and spread glitter all over the stage with great poise and style.  The principal line up was backed up by an impressive ensemble who gave energetic dances and excellent vocals in the musical numbers.  Praise must go to; Roy for his excellent direction in pulling this non-stop show together packed full with comedy, Cat for her excellent work on the ensemble and principal songs along with the perfect selection of panto-cheesy songs and Greg for his excellent and varying choreography styles.  In particular the work with the So-Shy photos and end collage in the Wishee Washee lead number ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ was ingenious.  Congratulations to the full cast, crew and company on an excellent panto 2019.

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