Aladdin

Panto season is upon us and it’s good to be back (oh yes it is!) Golborne St Thomas’ ADOS were clearly excited at getting back on the stage after 18 months break with their Panto, Aladdin. Co-directed by Michelle Hughes and Produced by Keith Wilde this show included lots of audience participation and we rose to the challenge - hilarious! The stage was used well and entrances through the audience down the centre aisle worked with a Chinese dragon procession thrown in the mix. Musical Director was Mark Gerrard and Drummer Jack Gerrard, Guitarist Charlie Gerrard and Pianist Harry Gerrard - great sound! I think there were two stage microphones at the front but maybe some cast members should have been mic’d as I did miss some of the singing which was a shame as what I did hear was good. Sound by Rob Hughes and Ayrton Wickstead. Lighting enhanced the stage and worked well. Lighting by Michael Hill and Lawrence Partington

The Chorus and Children’s Chorus clearly were having fun on stage and I loved when one of the Children’s Chorus had a turn at being a Flat Stanley or should I say ‘Flat Wishee’ in the laundry scene.   Delightful opening number too. Well thought out dance routines - Choreography by Holli Scott, Jessica Payne and Bethan Littlewood. The costumes looked great and loved the colour coordination for the finale – very eye-catching. The Dame’s costumes were funny and the washing line outfit got a great laugh. Loving the idea of coordinating sliders for the Dame too. The first head-dress for the Dame was a great gag using the mini washing line on his head with the rubber gloves hanging over his face. The Spirit of the Caves scene was lovely and the light up capes were very magical and effective. Sue McCarthy was in charge of Costume. Make-up by Dee Payne, Lydia Bowland, Lisa Kendrick and Victoria Ashcroft. Abanazer’s make up looked really good but I would have liked to have seen The Empress’ make-up, which I think was to age her round her cheeks, blended out more as from the audience it looked like two black lines down her face. Some fabulous glittery lips going on though.

The Guards were played by Joe Banner & Mason Kendrick. Ladies In Waiting were Evie Rothwell, Casey Taylor and Sophie Kingham. The Grand Vizier was Played by Bernard Holding. The Empress of China by Kate Leonard. Sing-Hi was played by Susan Halton and her partner in crime Hannah Valente was playing Sing-Lo. Ruby Glavin played Prince Pekoe second principal boy and son of the grand Vizier and Suranne Hesketh played a sweet So-Shi.

Wishee Washee was played by Emma Rothwell who was a foil for the Dame and had great facial expressions. Genie of the Ring was Amelia Mills who had good stage presence and delivered her lines very confidently lighting up the theatre. Genie of the Lamp was Kerrick Mills. He looked great and owned the stage. Not many genies I have seen in shower cap and bath robe. His musical number was done with style and flair.

Bethan Littlewood took on the part of Princess Crystal and worked well with Jessica Payne as the title role. Jessica was somewhat unconventional as a principal boy and came across as likeable. She was tomboyish and had a comedic side which was a refreshing change and used her facial expressions to the max engaging with the audience too. Great energy and swag in “I’m a Believer” number.

Kevin Williams as Abanazer looked the part but I have to say he was very sketchy on his lines and the prompt, Sarah Greeley was definitely needed. He also looked uncertain as to where he should be at times. In all my years of being in panto and watching I can honestly say this actually was one of the funniest things I have ever seen and this was down to Keith Wilde who played Widow Twankey and was truly glorious as the Dame. I don’t know where to start. His rapport with the audience was spot on. He never missed a beat to interact, comment or throw a cast member under the bus in true panto style. Like a Lancashire Dame Edna Everage. I am aware some of these could be scripted but part of me hoped that some of them were not. I love it when a mistake happens (it does in live theatre - that’s the adrenalin rush of it) and it is acknowledged that Keith is a master at this and I as an audience member loved this quality. He never missed an opportunity to throw shade. “It says in the script I’ve got to give you these, making you lose your memory” directed at Abanazer and “Find him a script” and many, many more. He took a swipe at The Chaperones and even our ever-changing Prime Ministers got a mention - just as it should be in Panto land. Keith was just hilarious and was the glue of the show and on the way home we could not stop referring to his ad-libs. Maybe even more could have been made of the prompting of lines but then again, I needed to draw breath from laughing.

Thank you for one of the funniest evenings my guest Angela and I had and thank you so much for making us feel welcome. Congratulations to Cast, Crew and Committee on Aladdin.

 

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