Aladdin

Last night's performance of Aladdin by the Marsden Parish Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (MPCAODS) was nothing short of magical. The talented cast delivered a show full of laughter and heart, bringing the beloved pantomime to life in the most charming way. 

Aladdin, played with great energy by Holly Comber-Moccia, was a perfect fit for the role, with just the right amount of cheeky charm and some top draw singing a thigh slapping. His love interest, Princess Jasmine, Sam Wood, sang and acted graceful developing a strong character but also creating a wonderful on-stage chemistry with Aladdin. Their romance was heartwarming and truly captivating. 

Wishy Washy  was a fun and comedic character typically portrayed as a lovable but bumbling servant to the main characters, Luke Wood brought plenty of slapstick humour to the production making him a crowd favourite, especially with kids. 

Widow Twankey, brilliantly portrayed by Richard Haigh. With a larger-than-life presence and slick comedic timing, she had the audience laughing from start to finish. 

The villain, Abanazar, Ian Taylor,  was wonderfully wicked, with a commanding performance while still evoking the perfect amount of laughter. His Ball Bag will live with me forever. 

The Emperor was Colin Harris. A father who doesn’t want his daughter to marry a commoner like Aladdin. Colin brought his vast experience to what on first glace is a simple role. His comedic touches like tripping on every exit were noticed by all.  

Every panto needs a comedy double act and Marsden had 2 of the best In Sgt. Smash, Chris Comber and Constable Grab, Amy Blackburn. Chris and Amy worked their socks of keeping the laughs coming. Hilarious physical comedy and Amy pulls the greatest facial expressions. 

The Genie of the Ring was elegantly played by Vivenne Payne. Vivenne needs special mention as she not only performed this role incredibly well but she also Directed and Choreographed the production. She got the very best out of her cast and the dance routines were very effective.  

Zanda the Panda was super. Sarah Thompson brought such a fabulous character to life and showed everyone the power of physical acting over words.Sarah interacted with the rest of the cast well and was a point of emphasis every time Zanda was on stage. 

And let's not forget the Genie of the Lamp, whose performance Malcolm Payne. Malcolm was full of warmth and flair – truly a character who stole the show with every appearance not just for the amount of skin on show, very brave on a chilly evening. 

With a small but perfectly formed chorus supporting the main cast, Ian Ball, Linzi Haigh, Phil Heywood, Shelley Jackson, Julie Mallinson and Emmie Pierce all sang and danced excellently adding the perfect support to the main cast.  

Then there were the quite amazing Cave Bats. Ethan Comber-Moccia, Georgia Comber-Moccia, Forest Taylor and Evan Jackson for me stole the show with their total cuteness and energy.  

The staging, while simple, was incredibly effective in creating the right atmosphere for each scene. The use of vibrant colours and carefully chosen props made each moment feel different without overwhelming the audience. It was a perfect example of how creativity can shine through even with minimal resources. 

The direction and choreography by Vivienne was first rate and had the cast moving with ease and enthusiasm through each number and scene. The dance routines were fun and accessible, adding an extra layer of energy to the production without ever feeling too complicated. It was clear that a lot of thought went into the staging making for an enjoyable experience for both the performers and the audience. 

MD was Jeff Taylor and he was joined by the Jeff Taylor Combo made up by Joe Jackson (Bass) Andy Cole (Keys) and Mark Jordan (Drums). Jeff got the very best out the cast and brought the audience some quality singing of some very popular numbers. The band were perfect for the hall and sounded very lively.  

CS Technical Ltd yet again brough a touch of magic to the production and I would have expected nothing less from this high quality company. 

If you know Marsden at all you know this is a huge team effort in all areas so lets go for a roll call. Carolyn Taylor, Judith Morrison, Al Muskett, Charlie Wilson, Mark Jordan, Guy Barrett Illusion Design, Katie Wade, Kathleen Snooks, Pippa Bamford, Andrew Fielding, Claire Fielding, Dreda Glennie, Rusty Grayson, Trish Haigh, Jenny Hall, Bernadette Heyes, Janet Neill, Kate Warwick, Louise Warwick, Kirsty Taylor, Alison Gibson and Claire Fielding all contributed greatly to this brilliant show by either working front of house, chaperoning or doing set, costumes and make up.  

From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by the warm and friendly front-of-house staff, who made me feel right at home. Their welcoming nature added to the overall atmosphere of the evening and set the tone for a delightful night out. 

The cast, vibrant sets, and clever choreography added the perfect finishing touches to this heartfelt pantomime. The audience, young and old, was thoroughly entertained from start to finish, enjoying the mix of slapstick comedy, catchy songs, and heartwarming moments. 

Marsden Parish Church Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society once again proved their ability to bring magic to the stage. This production of Aladdin was an absolute delight, full of fun, laughter, and plenty of sparkle. It’s clear that this group knows how to put on a memorable show – and I can’t wait to see what they do next! 

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