Aladdin

TIPPS 

Aladdin 

Written by Toby Bradford & Tina Webster 

Directed by Stephanie Kinson & Yvonne Kellett  

Musical Director & Choreographer: Natalie Anning 

Tipton St John Community Hall 

Saturday 22nd February 2025 

‘Tricia Barclay 

NODA SW Representative District 6 

Aladdin 

Following the success of their “home grown” production National Treasure last year  the Players were back in true pantomime mode for their half-term slot in the Hall this  time. Oh yes they were! 

With magical effects, plenty of corny jokes, a talented cast, an enthusiastic Chorus of  Adults and Juniors, everything came together for an enchanting show, which certainly took their audience on a Magic Carpet ride. 

We were treated to some good Oriental show music before the tabs opened to a  supermarket in old Peking and a rousing opening number, the black and red Water  Buffalo was particularly striking. 

The story unfolded in traditional style and all the well-loved and expected panto characters were there! 

Aladdin was played in a laid back, boyish style, and was certainly lazy until he fell in  love with the Princess and decided to improve his image. 

Taking the role of his brother Wishee Washee the Musical Director and Choreographer  worked her socks off encouraging lots of audience participation. There was an expressive Slave of the Ring who had a soft spot for Aladdin, and a warmly received,  experienced Widow Twankey, stepping comfortably into the Dame’s dresses - simply a  “bloke in a frock”.  

It was so good to see the Junior members interacting with the adults in the chorus and  also to see them cast in principal roles. There was a young Jeanie the Genie whose song  solo was very well performed, and an attractive and feisty Princess.  In the laundry a little lad from the chorus stepped confidently out of the washing  machine as the “shrunk in the wash” Wishee. You just wanted to see it shake a bit  though. The realistic looking mangle was very impressive, and the scene worked well. An experienced older performer played Tingaling the handmaiden and supported the  Princess perfectly, her expressions said it all! 

Abanazar was cunningly portrayed by another experienced female member of the  group, encouraging lots of boos, and Henchmen Hi and Lo were simply hilarious in a very understated way! 

Completing the cast was an imperious Empress, with the Emperor was away on urgent  business, actually playing golf, while twin sisters were just right as the rather useless  policemen, PC 27, and PC 39. 

The moment when the large UV Dragon rose up from the dark depths of the cave, later  to be followed by some smaller and endearing dragons, was amazing. 

Act II saw a few more songs than in the first half, We’re in the Money, and We Go  Together spring to mind. The “Little Ghost” gag was a clever touch and the Audience  Participation song with Wishee, and the Juniors went down well. 

Lighting and sound as always complemented the action, and it was obvious that a lot of  thought and hard work had gone into the design and construction of the set and  dressing for the various scenes. 

The “live” musicians, usually set just to the right of the stage in previous years, and  always part of the action, left a gap this time although the recorded music was effective. The costumes were all superb throughout, at one point the Dame was dressed in an  eye-catching “Willow Pattern” outfit, and the fantastic red/gold/black finale finished the  show perfectly! 

Well done! 

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the  overall production and in particular the performance viewed. 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.

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