Aladdin

When I visit the Kirk Theatre I always know I am in for a treat and this time was no different. With sold out performances before the shows even started its run, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation of the evening to come as I cued to get in. The front of house staff are always so welcoming and make you feel like you are being welcomed into the Pickering Musical Society family. As the show went on the electric energy continued with the audience laughing and smiling and joining in at every opportunity. A true credit to the amazing team that work tirelessly at this society.

The set and scenery were well put together and scene changes were excellently executed. The various backdrops worked exceedingly well to enhance the performance with the cast even coming into the audience and making it a true immersive experience.

The music was exceptional. I do love going to shows that have live bands. So many shows now use the many varied backing tracks that are so easily accessible. However, Pickering Musical Society use the band to such good affect and the sound levels always work spectacularly. The seven-piece band led by Clive Wass was on point and played every song as if they were a recording. They worked so well together and really came together as a band. The singing on stage was equally sublime, with some of my favourites Flash Bang Wallop, You Can’t Stop the Beat and my most favourite being Diamonds are Forever sang by the wonderful Slave of the Ring, played by Millie Fisher who not only was a wonderful delight as this part but also has an outstanding voice.

The cast were joined again by the talented young ladies from Sarah Louise Ashworth School of Dance who were superb as usual. They really enhanced the performance and had abeam on their face all the way through. I especially thought the dancing in the cave scene and the Chinese Laundry song were beautiful.

The spectacular love story followed the star-crossed lives of Aladdin played by Danielle Long and Princess Lotus Blossom played by Courtney Brown was lovely and they really held the show together and had every audience member smiling with their story. The brilliantly evil performance of John Brooks as the evil villain Abanaza was great and had many a child both young and old hidings behind the seats in front of them. Princess Lotus Blossom’s mother Ru Ling Yu played by Linda Tester was just truly outstanding and how she interacted with the audience was just fabulous and really got the audience involved with the show. The genie of the lamp played by Jack Dobson  never wavered from his characterisation. The comic value was enhanced by the impressive performance of Wishee Washee played by Stephen Temple and Widow Twanky played by Marcus Burnside was fabulous I do believe these two were born to act together. The whole audience was behind them a hundred percent. My favourite two stars of the evening had to be Minnie Wong played by Paula Taylor and Winnie Wong played by Rachel Anderson. These two were just fabulous and so funny. They worked so well together as a comedy duo and the way Rachel Anderson stuck to her character was flawless. Well done girls you definitely should work together more often.

The costumes of this show were so perfect for the overall feel of the show mixed with the brilliant scenery, technical elements and the fabulous cast definitely make it a show of the season. Luke Arnold should be immensely proud of the excellent performance he has whipped up and I should also mention his excellent performance as Clarance the Camel with Maureen Symonds and their delightful dance routine. If you have not seen it yet. Pickering Musical Society is definitely a society to visit.

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