Aladdin

A joyful production – your ‘players’ happily performed their socks off!  A wonderful demonstration of teamwork, dedication, and talent.  You should be very proud of your production of Aladdin. You gave us a warm-hearted evening of super entertainment. Importantly, your cast came across as completely relaxed – and so your audience followed suit.  The worries of the day vanished in the tickles of laughter and uproarious ‘cracking up’. 

An excellent team gave us superb sound, great music, super sets, wonderful costumes, and mood-managing lighting. A formidable ensemble. Congratulations. Musical Director/Choreographer, Lucie Nash: well done – the music was ‘on point’.  Your singers and dancers were really tested, being so highly visible. The hard work was evident, and your talented singers and dancers were committed and sure footed!  Excellent entertainment.

Aladdin (Claire Payton): you really put the work in Claire – word perfect, a confident and convincing Aladdin.  Relaxed and blessed with a wonderful voice. You maintained the pace and character throughout. Great performance. Princess Jasmine (Susan Beer): composed and confident, modern Princess Jasmine – an equal with her Aladdin. A great partnership – with a twinkle in your eye. Thoroughly convincing, talented and relaxed. Every little girl’s heroine. While the Emperor – Dan Coles – was a suitably concerned parent!  Abanazar - (Christy Hinchliffe): well, I have never laughed so much for along time. Smooth, confident, self-effacing foolery – murky intention. Facially – fantastic – your raised eyebrow and wicked smirky smile deserve their own accolade. Being so smoothly wicked seemed to come too easily?  I’m smiling as I write! Nobby the Panda (Pip Smith): a great favourite with the kids and adults alike. Your confidence grew in front of us. A phenomenal work rate bearing in mind you were covered in a wonderful fur costume from head to foot! The nuance of your miming was spot on. Super job. The Genie of the Lamp (Sophie Kolb) and Genie of the Ring (Laura Savvides): both with personality, attitude, and lovely costumes – and different ethnicity! You worked your magic with great effect. Sergeant Duck (Melanie Sacre) and her sidekick PC Dive (India Kolb): worked their slapstick socks off trying to keep the peace. Wishee Washee (Edward Evans) and Widow Twankey (John Dennis): congratulations on successfully carrying out the wonderful laundry scene. The kids (and adults) adored it. You fully utilised the excellent ‘Chinese Laundry’ set. So, so funny.

The Wardrobe & Props team ensured that the audience suspended belief in old Peking!  An excellent Lighting Design team worked their magic with great success. Special mention must be made regarding the Set Designer – Penny Cooper - it worked a treat. The Stage Construction Team made it look fabulous.

Congratulation to everyone involved – including those not mentioned.  All those extra hands that made the audience’s visit to the Playhouse Theatre incredibly special. Thank you for the joy and sparkle to bought to a winter that most of us wish to forget.

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