Aladdin

Aladdin

Written by Ben Crocker

Performed by Pinhoe Pantomime Society

On 9th January 2025 at America Hall, Pinhoe

Directed and Produced by Sophie Yarde-Buller

Musical Director – Richard Adams

 

I am always delighted to attend the annual Pinhoe pantomime as it is always a fun evening of entertainment from a lovely group of people.

With a cast of adult and  junior performers the story began as Abanazer, played by Ben, entered stage left, wearing a dark green and gold long tunic, turban and incredible beard! Lit with a green spot he narrates the story and works the audience as only a baddy should. His disguise in Act 2 as a Scottish lamp buyer, with a thick Scottish accent, kilt, orange wig and tartan cap was laugh out loud funny, as was his rendition of Blondie’s ‘One Way or Another’.

Caitin as Aladdin has a gorgeous voice and is confident throughout, fronting numbers such as ‘Dancing in the Street’ with her tree backing singers and duets with Jasmine from High School Musical and ‘Love is an Open Door’ from Frozen. Jasmine played by Mollie was delightful as a princess with a hint of sass, her voice blending well with Aladdin’s. Both were strong confident performers. As was Wishee Washee, played by Shannon,  who was so watchable with sharp sarcasm and her total frustration with naughty Nobby.A.Pandy. Widow Twanky was played by Ash, a much younger actor than normally cast. With a good tenor voice and good comic timing especially in the ‘dance of a thousand veils’. With fabulous costumes and wigs, he was a delight to watch.

Huge hilarity throughout came from the incredible acting skills of Joe as PC Pong and Beth as Sergeant Ping. Their duet ‘Cool Clear Water’ with southern twangs and young actors dressed as camels walking behind had us in stitches. The night I attended the actor playing the Empress was ill and the producer, Sophie, stepped in with clever use of a gold-coloured folder for her script. The Genie of the Ring was nicely played by Vickie, just watch for your light as we want to see your face. The Genie of the Lamp was hilariously played by Tracy who, when entering early (or was that meant to happen?) ad-libbed, making the audience roar with laughter.

The principal actors were supported well by the adult and junior chorus who sang well. You could see the enjoyment coming from the faces of the junior chorus especially those who were camels.

The choreography team produced routines that allowed cast members of differing abilities to move and dance, I especially enjoyed ‘Mr Blue Sky’ and the finale number of ‘I’ll Be There’.  It is not often a community pantomime has the benefit of a live band but Pinhoe Pantomime Society are fortunate with six musicians in the pit including their MD Richard Adams. I especially love the fact that they have a flute player.  The choice of songs was varied from Spandau Ballet’s ‘Gold’ to ‘I need a Hero’, all fitted well into the storyline and script.

The wardrobe team costumed the company mostly from their own costume department. With Twanky, in a brightly coloured ruffled dress with a large red wig when first entering, then as she becomes wealthy a sparkly blue gold and black dress performing ‘Big Spender’ and an Orange and green number with lightning bolt double horned wig. The ensemble in coloured shirts with mandarin collars and pantaloon trousers, Jasmine’s burgundy and gold gowns and tiara and a finale costume for all in red and black to name only a few.

The whole production was brought together with a set and its backdrops designed and painted well, such as the inside of the cave set with gold and jewels sparkling and the inside of a Bedouin tent. The stage props of a large circular saw to cut Aladdin in half, a wringer to flatten Nobby and a washing machine in the pink Twank-O-Matic used to shrink poor Nobby were clever touches.

The lighting design by Ben Fricker enhanced this production no end. The use of footage of world sites produced by Teignmouth Film Clubs, as the magic carpet rides to the desert, good used of gobos and moving lights in light plot, coloured spots for certain characters, blues and purples dimly lighting the cave, with haze for effect, Old Peking lit brightly with yellows and white and the Twank-o-Matic lit in pink. The sound levels were perfect between the band and the actors on stage with good use of echo when Aladdin is inside the cave and thunder for Abanazar’s entrance.

This pantomime moved quickly and pretty smoothly with only a handful of slower scene changes for the more difficult transitions. This production was not as lengthy as previously, with shortened musical numbers too which, in my opinion, should be the design of this type of theatre genre and adds to its enjoyment. This was a delightful pantomime and gave the audience the chance to boo, hiss, laugh and sing especially with PC Pong and Sergeant Ping during the song sheet. A great community panto!

Well done to everyone involved and huge thanks to the front of house team, again, for such a warm welcome from you .

Lyn Burgoyne -  Noda Rep for District 5 (Mid and East Devon)

N.B. Please note that this report can only refer to the performance seen and express the personal views of the Representatives commenting.

 

 

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