Aladdin

Thank you once again for your warm welcome to watch your 2023 production of Aladdin. It was good to see you had a full house and that the village was supporting your endeavours. I was glad that I was too able to answer the police’s questions when they came into the audience with their photofit picture looking for Aladdin.

The stage was set up ready to receive the players and the lighting and sound were controlled by Dymond Audio from the back of the hall. The cast were well lit throughout and the gobos were used to for lighting effects.  It was great to see you had used flash boxes for the genie. Your director mentioned he had listened to playlist after playlist and I would have liked to have time to count how many 1990’s hits were included in the show, they were certainly numerous and brought back memories. The music was I believe played on backing tracks and set at an appropriate level.

The programme which was based on a ‘Smash Hits’ magazine informed us that we were to be taken back to the 1990’s which was certainly a different setting for this traditional tale. The original script which your director says he ‘butchered’ was not credited but the show included the expected characters with twists and numerous references both visual and oral to shops, products and brands for the 1990’s. The story took us along the anticipated story with some laugh out loud moments although I would like to say puns are funny when dropped into pieces of the scripts but too many said consecutively loses a little of the expected impact.

This theme was continued through to the costumes all those on stage were adorned with. The Vintage Superstore obviously came up trumps and provided a variety of 1990’s fashion which had been carefully sourced and added to the over all feeling I think the director was aiming for.  It was also great to see that period hairstyles had been created to add to the illusion. It certainly took me back and made me question some of the outfits I chose to wear.

The show had a variety of scenes which were enhanced by painted backdrops and legs. The palace scenery and the cave were especially effective. The stage effect you created with the flying carpets was cleverly delivered and the giant Furby brought back memories of walking into my daughter’s bedroom and hearing a disembodied voice speaking. The props provided were well used by the members of the cast.

Your choreographer had also been reviewing dance routines from the 1990’s because so many iconic moves had been included. Those on stage had been well instructed and knew their moves and I’m sure some of the members of the audience could have joined in.

The chorus knew their words and enthusiastically delivered the variety of songs chosen which must have been new to a lot of your younger members. I felt there were a few tuning issues with some of the younger members early on in the show. It was great to hear some of the audience joining in with the well know choruses and to see the ‘S Club 22 (I think)’ number at least your members can now relate to the newly reformed S Club 7.

Abanazar arrived on stage to the expected boos dressed in an Elvis like outfit. He created a believable baddie and interacted well with the audience and the other members of the cast. He delivered his text clearly and sang well.

It was great to see a different interpretation of the Slave of the Ring she certainly kept Abanazer on his toes, no shrinking violet here in fact she was quite forceful. She had a great off hand manner when speaking and was quiet intolerant when he summoned her to complete a task. Well done.

Aladdin arrived during the Peking Pannier Market scene with Wishee Washee. Aladdin had a great stage presence and spoke clearly and sang his 90’s inspired songs with feeling. He interacted well with all the members of the cast and it was good to see the dare devil side of his character come out when he entered the palace grounds and in the fight scene. It was great to see the affection developing between his and Princess Blossom. Wishee Washee on the other hand had a hapless manner, kept making mistakes and seemed to have some problems with his script. He certainly played the part well and was the butt of the jokes. It was good to see him end up with his own love interest at the end of the show.

The actor playing Widow Twankey did a wonderful job. She had created a larger-than-life character and commanded the stage. She tried hard to control the two boys and run her laundry successfully. The scene with the washing machine and dryer transforming Wishee Washee worked well. She wore a variety of different outfits from a demure outfit in the palace to the Shania Twain outfit for ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman’ which was an outstanding rendition with her backing band. Many congratulations.

In the palace grounds we meet Princess Blossom and her three handmaidens Daisy, Rose and Pansy. The Princess depicted her character well had a good clear speaking voice and was vocally able to put across her feelings in her songs. She worked well with Aladdin as their partnership developed and was able to work her charms on her father. Her hand maidens were convincing whether they were giggling with the Princess over comment, warning her off when Aladdin appeared or singing like a 90’s female trio. They had all created believable characters and sang and danced well. The Emperor blustered around trying to control those under his control. He spoke clearly and sang in tune it was good to see him teamed up with Widow Twankey at the end. The Lord Chancellor didn’t have much to say but when he spoke you had the feeling, he was fed up with being ignored.

Chop and Suey the policemen were hilarious they bounced off each other all the way through the show. It was inspired to have little Chop as the sergeant an audience always find a child controlling an adult funny. They were great when they were put under Abanazer’s power by the Slave of the Ring and were able to maintain their monosyllabic speak well. I think one of the funniest scenes was when they did the Indiana Jones sequence with Suey as the dinosaur following the light and supposedly hiding by standing by the gates. They were superb, hopefully you will be paired up again.

You are lucky within your company to have someone who has such a wonderful voice as your Genie. He is able to bring any song to life which adds depth to a scene. He delivers his script with feeling and played the part confidently. A brilliant performance.

A pantomime does not just have the main characters and your chorus and junior chorus worked extremely hard during the show to interact with the cast and each other on stage. Well done to all your group whether on or off stage.

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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