Aladdin

It was lovely to be back at St Stephen Community Centre seated with a sell out audience anticipating what adventure 
this accomplished company would take us all on this year. It was wonderful to read in your programme that you have 
been recognised by various organisations with nominations and awards for your Hansel and Gretel pantomime last 
year.

The story of Aladdin is probably one of the most well know but how would the poor laundress’ son discover the 
enchanted lamp, encounter the Genie and become rich and marry the princess? 

The Dave Crump script chosen this year was excellent. It was extremely fast moving with great characters and an 
abundance of puns and one liners. You certainly had to listen carefully to the text which was clearly delivered by the 
players to ensure you did not miss any of the quips!   Your producers obviously had a clear vision of what they 
expected the show to look like, the characters were well cast and the scenes moved seamlessly along with no empty 
stage moments. I would like to commend the producers for taking on board comments about the duration of the 
production and say this year’s was just right!

The orientally decorated hall had the name of the pantomime projected on the front curtain and a large button set 
stage right with ‘Do not press’ on it. The sound and lighting desk was set at the back of the hall on the top of the raised 
seating ensuring those operating the boards had a clear view of all the procedures. The  lighting bar was set in front of 
the stage with a variety of different lights which were well used to add de tail to the performance. The UV scenes were
carefully managed and certainly drew ‘Oh’s’ and ‘Ahs’ from the audience. Your sound technicians ensured all the text 
and song lyrics were clearly heard.   All the sound effects were appropriate and added to the story.

The curtains opened following the prologue to a busy market scene in Old Peking portrayed by a detailed backdrop 
and legs provided by Border Studio Hire. Those chosen also ensured we travelled along Oriental Pathways, palaces, a 
well-equipped laundry and outside and inside the cave of wonder. I thoug ht the entrance to the cave through the 
backdrop was cleverly constructed. All these swept the audience to faraway places.  The scenes changes were 
excellently managed by your stage crew.

The larger props were numerous and well used within the show to add detail.  The laundry cart was great, the 
machines in the laundry which were large enough for the cast to enter just a quick point, remember to cover the whole 
opening with the cloth depicting the water to accomplice the illusion. The chute on the side was useful, the 
miniaturised policeman and the moveable rollers provided a life size flat image of Wishee Washee albeit with a broken 
arm great. You must have some wonderful surgeons backstage that were able to fix him back together!!  The Chinese
dragon was brilliant and extremely well controlled but the most impressive was your magic carpet which moved with 
ease around the stage, congratulations. The smaller personal props looked authentic and I enjoyed how the cast 
managed their fans.

I have nothing but praise for your wardrobe team of seven  and wondered if there was any Chinese fabric left in 
Cornwall?  How lucky are you to be able to create such designs together! You always come up trumps with your 
costume concepts and construction. Every member on the stage had many well-fitting outfits and looked pristine. 
Every detail had been taken into account from their head right down to their feet. I also like the fact that each cast 
member had their own style which was recreated in different colours and materials. Each new set of costumes was 
clearly appreciated by your patrons and the finale was the icing on the cake. What to say about your fantastic Dames’ 
creations I would love to be there when you make your initial drawings. It must take many hours just to t urn them into 
the wonderful wearable outfits. Many, many congratulations to you all, the many hours you spent creating were very 
well received by all. I would also like to mention the carefully applied make up and  coiffured hair styles which all 
adding to the oriental feeling.

Your choreographer created a variety of interesting routines which suited the members of the cast involved and 
available space on the stage, no mean feat when all the chorus and the majority of the cast were performing together. 
It was great to see everyone from the youngest to the more mature enjoying performing with smiles on their faces. I 
really enjoyed the clever routine with the fans, the little ones as jewels , panda’s and the UW umbrella routine was 
impressive just remember to ensure all your faces are pr operly covered and leave the stage before the lights come up.

Your Musical Director and percussionist ably led the variety of musical numbers. It was certainly inventive during the 
UV scene to see MD with a torch in his mouth. There was a great selection of musical numbers used during the 
performance from good all staples like ‘Sunshine, Moonlight’ and ‘Big Spender’ to an upbeat number from ‘Six’. Often 
some of the lyrics had been adapted but they moved the story along. Time had obviously been taken to ensure all 
those involved in various musical numbers were well rehearsed and sang with conviction.

The lights dimmed and, in a flash a beautifully bedecked Jinni appeared. Her detailed blue costume with Chinese 
detail, gold shoes, long black plait and face make up told us she was one of the immortals but which one? She 
preceded to dramatically explain she was the mystical spirit of the ring who guarded the Princess and had appeared 
because she sensed evil. Your actor created a wonderful positive character who was determined that her princess 
would come to no harm. It was good to see her in a different light performing in a group routine. Her foil was Abanazar
the arci typal baddie who arrived from stage left full of bluster. His dark detailed costume, hat and face make up was in
stark contrast to the spirit. He played his part well eliciting a great reaction from the audience, the more they booed 
that nastier he got. He used his wiles to get to know Aladdin and get him to complete his task and we saw a nastier 
side of him with the princess. Everyone cheered when he pushed the button.

The young actor depicting  Aladdin was ideal. He was easy going, interacted with all the members of the cast and 
audience. All his musical numbers were tunefully delivered and there was a palpable chemistry between him and Ying 
Yui when they met. This young man has grown in statue and developed into an excellent lead.  

What a joy it was to see a comic like Wishee Washee on a pantomime stage. A natural physical comedian who put  all 
he (she) had into every movement he (she) delivered during the performance. Every line was said with meaning , each 
musical number on point, his (her) facial expressions were outstanding and the character had wonderful affinity with all 
those on stage and in the audience. A tour de force performance.

I spent some time looking for a description of a Dame and after some  research made this list. She is defiantly a man 
dressed as a woman, bold, brash, colourful, part diva, part fool, part stand-up and a strong link between the cast and 
the audience. You are extremely luck as a company to have  nurtured over the past three years one of the best. From 
the moment she walked/bounded/fell onstage she gave 110% never standing still, interacting continually with all those 
on stage and audience and looking fantastic. What more can you ask a superb performance.

The Chinese policemen Tong and Chong arrived nosily on the scene to arrest their favourite petty criminals  `. 
They created a brilliant comedy duo bouncing seamlessly off each other. They were full of energy throughout the 
performance delivering their text clearly , totally useless at their jobs but great entertainment.

The beautifully attired royal party arrived accompanied by a brilliant Chinese dragon. The emperor looked the part 
regally dressed in turquoise and red with an elaborate headdress. His portrayal of a concerned father who thought his 
daughter should follow his rules was calmly done. He spoke clearly with authority. The beautifully dressed princess 
Ying Yui was no push over she knew her own mind, what she wanted and no parent was going to get in her way. Your 
beautiful young actor looked the part and created a believable strong character. She had excellent stage presence, 
interacted well with other cast members, moved  with confidence and sang tunefully . One little pointer here always use 
your natural voice which is beautiful rather than copy published artists.  The princesses’ lady in waiting Chaihong really 
cared for her mistress and happily went along with her antics. She created a believable character moving and singing 
with confidence.

Through an array of bubbles your most powerful immortal appeared and what a surprise the Genie of the Lamp was a 
woman resplendent in pink. The young lady playing the part was brilliant she had the right attitude ensuring that all the 
comments about her femininity were quickly quashed. Her off-hand manner, clear expressions and obvious power 
demonstrated she was not to be messed with.

You are an extremely lucky company to have such a large talented ensemble to support the named cast. Everyone of 
them was on point during their time on stage, they were interested in the action, animated and in some cases had 
cameo parts to perform. All their great work added to the enjoyment of the performance.

Your show this year was outstanding, a great script, brilliant cast, wonderful scenery, perfect songs, clever 
choreography and fantastic costumes. None of these could be achieved without the members of your team that do not 
perform on the stage. You are indeed an extremely lucky company to be so well supported. Congratulations to all at St 
Stephen Pantomime Company.

Special thanks for inviting the President and Regional Councillor along to watch a performance they thoroughly 
enjoyed travelling down to Cornwall

Disclaimer 
Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.   The 
reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be 
affected by that knowledge. 
The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the 
performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques 
used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and 
are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.
It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encour aged you to 
greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving 
future productions.
 

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