Aladdin

Having provided cover for your 2021 production of Cinderella, it was a pleasure to have been invited back for this year’s festive pantomime – Aladdin. As a society, BACCES has most definitely built a reputation for delivering high-quality shows and last year was a revelation to me. I must admit that this year I arrived at The Beck Theatre with high expectations indeed.

Aladdin is one of my favourite pantomimes mainly because it has such a good, strong story line. This is really developed in the very funny, and modern script, by Lisa Bennett. Whilst following the traditional storyline it included many local references, nods to British Airways, bad puns and topical humour.

Widow Twankey, together with her three sons Aladdin, Wishee and Dave, run a struggling laundry in Old Peking. By chance Aladdin meets the beautiful Princess Jasmine and she changes his life forever. The evil Abanazar arrives in search of Aladdin who, according to prophecy, is the only person able to secure the magic lamp. Together with a magical Genie, a Slave of the Ring and a cast of various characters, the adventure began…

Sarah Marina Koutandos (Director) and Lisa Bennett (Assistant Director) are to be congratulated. From start to finish the amount of time, effort and dedication to detail were obvious to see. The extensive cast had clearly been carefully selected, meticulously rehearsed and was fairly bursting with enthusiasm and energy. This was most certainly another slick and polished BACCES production and one to look back on with fond memories.

Whilst those with principal and cameo roles enjoy ‘the limelight’, it is important to recognise the energy, commitment and quality demonstrated by the entire BACCES Company. The entire cast worked well together and the whole-company numbers were full of energy, pace and enjoyment. The costumes, colour and overall spectacle from the entire cast were simply fabulous. I was aware that everyone was fully engaged throughout the performance and greatly contributed to the overall success of the show.

Congratulations again to everyone involved with ‘Aladdin’ and to BACCES for another excellent pantomime. I would be delighted to visit with BACCES again and, like last year, will gladly add my recommendation to any nomination made regarding this production. 

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