Aladdin

Entering the Foyer of The Point theatre, Eastleigh we were greeted by an enthusiastic Chairman plus a good hubbub of noise from an excited audience of mums, dads, grandparents and siblings that you come to expect from a community theatre panto. We were escorted to our seats and looked forward to a good night's entertainment.

A good set, designed by Bethan Drew, simple and clean, was going to be used to good effect. and the space allowed the ensamble reasonable freedom of movement. The cast at Westfield are a good age range of 6 to 36 (with the younger ones learning from the older cast members) and correographer Chelle Cummings certainly had her work cut out, but they all seemed to know where they should be, and were in the main able to deliver the simple yet effective correography well.

Musically they were enjoying what they were singing, Nicole Cummins having done a more than reasonable job.The principle cast of heroes and villians (too many to mention) played their parts well, from Abanazar (Steve Phillips) to the dame Widow Twanky (Chris Thompson), Aladdin and Princess Yasmin (Beki Jones and Bethan Drew respectively). Danni Groom as the Genie and the comical Abi Simper as Noodles holding it all together. The lighting was effective and showed off the staging and lovely bright costumes well. The sound was OK but at times the cast from half way to the back of the set couldn't always be heard clearly.

Thank you Westfield a good evening was had by one and all. 

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