Aladdin

I was delighted to be invited to see the opening night of Aladdin by Wales CTC  following their very successful Summer 2022 production of Honk . Wales as it says in their title is an established Community theatre company offering opportunity to a wide age range of performers, hopefully enabling and encouraging those young ensemble of today to be the principal cast of tomorrow.

Panto is a unique form of theatre requiring larger than life performers, singing and dancing, audience participation along with fun, colour and spectacle. This production had it all and compliments must go to Claire Harriott for her immense skill in not only Directing but also doing the Choreography and along with the backing of the society creating a wonderful evening of entertainment fully appreciated by the considerable audience. The set was excellent and along with the clever use of projection moved the varying scenes along seamlessly. The singing from everyone was really pleasing and compliments to your Musical Director David Burgess who not only nurtured the excellent singing but also maintained a beautiful balance with his Orchestra allowing the audience to hear the music and the performers clearly. This spectacle was beautifully and professionally lit by Tom Dyson lighting, the quality of which adds such amazing effects. Completing this aspect of the production is Dave Gregory sound who maintained excellent levels throughout allowing the cast and orchestra to be entirely heard.

Tom Ingall as Widow Twankey gave a great Dame performance, powerful, full of inuendo and audience facial reaction, larger than life with the finest array of outlandish costumes, many cameo scenes with Wishee Washee played well by Dan Schofield. The kitchen scene along with the alternative version of the 12 days of Xmas being two of many . Wishee performed really well with many of the other characters and also when working the audience which he did really well. Lucy Heyes gave a commanding performance as Aladdin with a fully action packed show along with a stand out duet with Princess So Shy played by Hollie Riley of, It must be love love love. Aladdin of course winning So Shy as expected. Peekaboo by Toni Cook and Pako played by Alison Wade both gave powerful performances showing their established skills learnt over their years of performing. Will Marshall as Abanazar , the baddy of the panto , strong and  powerful , great work in livening up the audience with the boos and hisses . The slapstick policemen Kung and Fu played by Sophie Antcliff and Eve Rowles lit up the stage every time they appeared, with many cameo scenes all cleverly worked out and performed. Being the opening night, I felt they combined and grew and grew as the evening went along, great fun. The Empress by Karen Wilkins and Khazi by Lynne Schofield gave lovely performances, with clear diction and great interacting. I must reference your Chinese shuffle walk Lynne which made me chuckle every time. Not forgetting those two performers who appeared following the rubbing of a ring or the polishing of a lamp. Genie by Joseph Bairstow , wow what a crazy outlandish performance , well done , showing no inhibitions with such an array of costume and makeup, great acting and singing  and Scarlet Buxton as Slave of the Ring , well done with many scenes all delivered really well and a well delivered song .  Cameo performances from The Executioner Rhys Jordan  and High Priest by James Moore completing the principal cast . I’m so pleased to see so many Senior and Junior cast performing and performing well .These youngsters showed a true involvement in the panto with some great ensemble work , lovely dancing and singing and faces that lit up the stage . We must never forget the unseen team , the parents that take our younsters to rehearsals and the chaperones , without these wonderful people giving heir time these opportunities would not happen . 

The costumes were excellent throughout and to summarise a production well performed and received by the audience throughout the whole evening .

Thank you for the hospitality given and on behalf of Sylvia and myself we wish you all success with the remainder of the run

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