Aladdin

This version of Aladdin was a NODA Pantomime written by Long & Rawnsley. This was performed by a village group who were delighted to have been able to welcome some new blood to boost not only the actors but also the so essential production team.

We meet all the familiar characters. Aladdin was here played by Sarah France along with the colourful comedy character, Widow Twankey (Simon Hughes).  Charlotte Lamb  brought  fun and energy into her character as Wishee Washee and was assisted in the laundry by Sing-Lo (Rhianna Melton) who together gave us a well sung version of ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’  They all communicated well with the audience. The evil Abanazer was played by Andrew France and had the audience suitably booing him as soon as he entered the stage.  We also meet the Emperor of China (Brandon Chambers) and his lovely daughter  Princess Jasmine (Gemma Marshall) who looked spectacular in her beautiful dress  in the finale.

The comedy  couple were the 2 policemen, Charlie Chan (Gillian Hilder)  who was pushed around by Chin-Chin Chan (Christie Moore) in a wheelchair converted into police sedan chair. They both succeeded in amusing their supportive audience very well.  Kung-Foo was a delightful Panda played by Sophie Hughes.  The other lead characters, so essential to the script were the Slave of the Ring (Sally Lord) and the Genie of the Lamp (Kultra Bell). Sally injected good measures of comedy and vitality into her role.  Kultra gave a confident and very believable performance, she in particular had an amazing costume and stage makeup.  The young chorus and villagers were kept busy with two good UV scenes, one where they were dressed as bats in the magic cave and also as skeletons in a UV dance. There was also a well worked fight scene.

Needham always paint their own scenery and backcloths  which again looked good and also included 2 Egyptian styled sarcophagi. Comedy was provided in the washing scene in the laundry, as the washing machine starts emitting soap bubbles and then smoke as it goes wrong. Finally Sing-Lo has to climb into the machine, and then emerges as a shrunken version of herself.  Costumes all looked good and colourful and also included a wonderful (4 person) dragon costume. Lighting and sound all worked well and the use of the front apron assisted in quick and efficient scene changes.

Needham certainly hadn’t had an easy lead up to the performances as their basement under the stage where they stored their props and costumes, had got flooded several times in the last few weeks due to all the heavy rain and was constantly having to be pumped out.  Something that you really could have done without, but all credit to you all for your perseverance to ensure the show could go ahead.

Congratulations to all involved in this year’s Panto, to all the cast and production team in giving your appreciative audience an enjoyable evening.

 Well done also to Josephine Lea for your inspiration and determination to ensure the future of the group before you step back confident in the knowledge there are some safe hands to carry on your work.  (Dear Frank would have been proud of you, as we were of him.)

Catherine Dixey. NODA East Representative District E12

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