Aladdin

Well, what a pleasure to return to pantoland with Woodlands Theatrical Society.  It’s a date I look forward to annually but this time, for reasons we all know only too well, it has been three years since their last production.  Fortunately, many familiar faces are back with, maybe, one or two unfamiliar ones.
 
Although the tale of Aladdin is familiar, this version is brand new and in-house, from the pen of director Malcolm Alderson.  The audience happily allow themselves to be transported, this year, to Widow Twankey’s laundry in Old Peking.  The part of the Widow is in the capable hands of the said Malcolm “the Dame” Alderson accompanied by sons Wishee Washee (Luke Elliott) and Aladdin (Ashley Elliott).  Luke is the cheery best friend to all the children in the audience and Ashley is a comely and trustworthy principal boy.  You just have to love a traditional panto! 
 
The boys have, in their family, a giant chicken called Puddles (Thomas Berry, who must have been hot and uncomfortable in his giant chicken outfit).  Together, they make something of a Dynamic Trio, coming face to face with the somehow likeable but wicked Abanazar (Gareth Graham).  Of course, they eventually triumph with assistance from a benevolent fairy godmother, the Spirit of the Ring (Pamela Alderson) and a rather cool Genie (Jon Mole-Blakely).  There is also a sparkly Empress (Kirsten Dupree) with a pretty daughter, Jasmine (Holly Hutchinson), whom commoner Aladdin spots across a crowded room.  More problems!  A princess cannot marry a commoner, well, unless he comes into a pile of gold which, handily, Aladdin manages to do.  (Am I reading more into this fairy tale than I should be!)  Oh, and there are a couple of incompetent servants/sailors/policemen, Mee Tuu and Hoo Me (Em Alderson and Ruano Sutton), who complicate things whenever they were able.

The cast of 11 principals, 3 chorus members and the Nicola Gauld School of Dance (a very young, very impressive dance troupe) worked hard and successfully, involving the audience throughout.  The cast, who clearly enjoyed themselves, made sure the audience did too.  I’m not too sure about the cupid’s bow of bright red lipstick/make-up I took home on my forehead courtesy of Widow Twanky.  I never really fully trust a pantomime dame!!

As always, MD John Hopkinson filled the room with music, with only his piano, assisted by just a drummer.  The musical numbers, were enjoyable and cleverly interpolated.  This was a well-conceived and well directed show, well performed by the cast and thoroughly entertaining for the audience.  Finally, a word about the sets which I always fail to comment upon.  They were designed, painted and constructed in-house.  Very impressive.  Well done, everybody.       

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