Aladdin

After many years at Powick Village Hall, this time, due to the positive growth of the group, rewarded with a sell out show, Powick Players moved to the larger venue and stage at Nunnery Wood High School. Whilst a village hall setting can provide its own endearing atmosphere, the Players had no trouble filling the space with their own brand of impressive energy. As we know, live theatre can present its challenges due to injury or health issues, not least when Director Jake Heaton had to take on Wishee Washee Twankey with only 2 week’s - notice, but most impressively of all Jackson Holt was  moved to Widow Twankey at less than 10 hour’s - notice, for two performances, with the knock-on effect of Louise Carter (not previously in the cast at all) taking on Jackson’s role of PC Pong. That’s great team work.

The opening scene is set by Paul Blower’s Genie of the Lamp, very well presented in a dashing purple outfit. In fact, it was soon obvious that the entire cast especially the principals were beautifully and lavishly dressed and the character make-up was excellent. In need of the magic lamp to become the Master of the Universe, the evil Abanazar soon appears. Matthew Heels embraced the role 100%, well spoken and engaged with the audience throughout and later proving he has a singing voice to match with ‘Hot Stuff’. An excellent performance.

‘When you get to Peking’ was the opening full chorus number, well dressed as mentioned above and well- choreographed, as were several numbers later during the performance including ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’.  Jake Heaton provided great fun with Wishee Washee Twankey and his brother Aladdin Twankey,  well played by Tom Dalton – or was it ‘Wishee Sunak’, provided the love interest with good presence. He did of course only have eyes for Princess Jasmin, attractively played by Nicola Sandy and their duet ‘Last Night of the World’ was a well sung and a timely pause from the high tempo action.

Stepping in to the role of Widow Twankey, Jackson did a fantastic job, often with script in hand which was insignificant from an audience point of view – this even created a few laughs along the way – and with what I believe were at least 10 lavish costume changes, he did incredibly well. So too did Georgia Sproul (PC Wong) and Louise Carter (PC Pong) who you would have thought had worked together for weeks.

(Later in the week I was invited back to witness Ollie Roberts in his original role of Widow Twankey and to see Jackson as PC Pong. Ollie did his usual great job, completely at ease, never shy of the occasional ad lib and the tall Jackson Holt (compared with Georgia as PC Wong) added that comical picture as they too worked together well)

Abanazar’s associate the Spirit of the Ring was well played by Ruby Hudson, well-spoken and with a great voice. I enjoyed ‘One Night Only’ with the chorus  and particularly ‘Defying Gravity’ in Act 2.

Meanwhile, Princess Jasmin’s Mother the Empress of China, has other ideas for Jasmin who she has plans for her to marry someone rich and well placed in society. Julie Merry had great stage presence, feisty, sometimes domineering with the occasional soft centre.  

As well as the choreography for the chorus, the audience were delighted with a team of 11 young dancers from the Harlequin Stage School, whose appearances were well received including sequences in Twankey’s Launderette and later in the Cave.  

Act 2 opened in the Laundrette with the girls and their mops in a good routine. Dialogue generally throughout the performance was taken at a good pace including a very funny telephone routine between Wishee Washee and Widow Twankey. There was also a very nice number ‘She’s in Love’ sang by the trio of Handmaids; Lottie Heels, Alice Sale and Claire Cooper. Whilst Ruby was singing ‘Defying Gravity’, Aladdin was featured on an impressive flying carpet. I would have liked this to have been better lit, but that might have been a technical problem. (This had been resolved on my second visit to great effect)

The Harlequin dancers returned once more with a delightful dance sequence and the audience enjoyed the traditional panto routine with the ‘Mummy’, fearless until meeting Widow Twankey! Act 2 was rounded off with a large number of youngsters from the audience, to join in singing ‘Hats Jumpers, Pants and Socks’.

With  just a few moments of feedback (earlier in the week), the sound was very good and the volume of music well balanced with the singers. The lighting and scenery looked good and enhanced each scene. The principal line up in the finale with another set of lavish costumes, underlined what were great character performances and the entire production team are to be congratulated on an excellent evening’s entertainment. Thank you for the welcome and hospitality and I look forward greatly to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ next year.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.