Aladdin

A pre-Christmas bustle with a very mixed audience looking forward to the society’s very first venture into the traditional genre of pantomime, who were game to join in the fun of corny jokes and with a little bit of encouragement soon were in fine voice.

The set designed by Paul Webb was open with draped panels and hanging Chinese motifs and showing a magical cone with a magical red Father Christmas hat jauntily sitting on top. I cannot read Chinese, but I did notice and like the Chinese style letters depicting the Society’s initials which made me smile. We were transported to Shangri-La Marketplace, Twankey’s Laundrette, the Cave of Wonders, exotic places as The Emperor’s Palace, we flew to Egypt, visited an iffy haunted back passage, Abanazar’s Pyramid Lair and back – all in one afternoon and that’s magic. An extremely attractive glossy A4 programme was designed by Jo Flay with some great ideas, puzzles for all, and I did count 6 magic carpets after several attempts and delighted with the  use our new NODA branding. Well done.

Paul Goring was in fine form, who floated in his imaginative hooped frocks made to measure beautifully by Sophie Ringrose characterising a flamboyant Widow Twankey – a first role as Dame – many more I hope.  Aladdin Twankey was played by Ruth Parsons as a witty, cheeky hero who dreams of marrying Princess Jasmine, but he is so poor, but perhaps he will become the chosen one? Kay Howe in bejewelled costumes enjoyed her role with humour and having an opportunity to perform with her daughter on stage was a bonus. She was ably assisted by her handmaidens Elizabeth Abrahim, Lexianne Barnes and Holly Evans, as So, Go and No Shy. Protective father The Emperor was regally portrayed by Simon Hockey – who set his cap at Widow Twankey! Number two son was Wishee Washee with Rob Dyer, very agile, getting into mischief, great magic tricks and encouraging the audience to respond with ease.

The real baddie of the piece was of course evil magician, bearded Abanazar with Rowan Ringrose returning to BatTs with menacing words and action, dramatically costumed determined to become ‘’ruler of the world but of course with the aid of a very helpful athletic, happy, rap Genie of the Lamp genial Henry Robertson and three impish Spirits of the Ring -  Kate Dyer, Bertie Hustwayte and Gemma James – each quite different characters with three difficult accents too!

Together with pre-recorded and live music Oscar Smith competently led the cast’s  vocals with great lyrics - well performed with sound controlled by Dave Rowland. Chris Packham again designed and operated the magical, colourful lighting plot with video sequence from David Fricker. The magic of the flying carpet so carefully prepared regretfully didn’t on this occasion owing to a technical hitch which hopefully would be restored again for the evening performance.

There was a huge ‘ah’ factor throughout this panto when the well-rehearsed and beautifully turned out young dancers, pupils of the Abbey Dance Academy in their brightly coloured Chinese tunic style outfits danced and sang with such confidence. A credit to Rebecca and her team. With Paul Webb’s debut as Director and his wealth of panto experience the company gave the audience many a laugh, plenty of booing, colour and fun for this pre-Christmas experience. Thankyou to the ensemble Jenny and Debbie together with Barry Henson as Peter Pan-da and the dancing Mummy, Lacey Tompkins and to all the unseen team of helpers.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.