Aladdin

Starlight Players began the Pantomime in their usual way of involving the audience. “Police Patrol”  PC Rogue (Luke Williams) and PC Josh (David Swales) were asking if anyone knew the whereabouts of Aladdin. The young audience members were full of ideas and their involvement continued throughout the show. I along with the audience were entertained for the whole show. Lots of talent both in acting, singing and dancing.

The choreography was good and surprised us by starting with a brush dance used to tap out the rhythm, excellent.

Wishee Washee (Scott Wilson) held the show together with an excellent performance, full of life and relating well to the audience. Widow Twankey (Andrew Blankley) had a few original dame costumes. Andrew appears to revel in the role of a dame.

Princess Jasmine (Charlotte Pulsford) had a lovely alto singing voice. Along with Wishee Washee she was determined to look after Aladdin.

Although the music was taped it was really appropriate (e.g. Benny Hill music for the chase). Lots of good singing voices for both principals and chorus, this included Aladdin (Charlotte Williams) and Fairy (Jenny Williams). Inadvertently Abanazar (Ben Rosen) thought Wishee Washee (Aladdin’s brother) was Aladdin, who then got locked in the cave. He was made to work for the baddie Abanazar, who got the boos he wanted.

There is no show without punch is the saying, but for Starlight Players it is no pantomime without Kate Dunn (Genie of the Lamp). She was so glad to be released from the lamp but let us all know that she wasn’t prepared to go back into the lamp.

Compliments to the choreographer. The dance with blue wings was beautiful.

A mixture of pantos when Wishee got locked in the cave – he was joined by 7 dwarves. Not sure which person was lost!

There were all of the pantomime traditions included in Aladdin – Wishee Washee in Widow Twankey’s laundry, good fairy, baddie, a lovely fluorescent scene, clever use of a trolley as a magic carpet. Aladdin caused laughter as he almost fell off the “carpet”. The shouts from the children in the audience in the “ghost” scene were very loud. The chorus had some busy dances and songs. Above all was the obvious enjoyment of the cast from start to finish.

Well done everyone on stage and behind the scenes. They “loved to party”.

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.