Aladdin

The familiar story of Aladdin is little altered in this pantomime version by Alan P. Frayn. It tells the story of Aladdin who falls in love with Princess Mandarin but because he is not thought worthy by the Emperor he orders him to be executed. Abanazar wants to get his hands on a magic lamp that contains the all-powerful Genie so that he can rule the world and he is helped along this path when, using his wizardry, he saves Aladdin from being executed and later turns up at his mother’s Laundry declaring that he is his uncle and offers him money and further riches if he will help him to retrieve a lamp hidden in a cave. Of course this all goes wrong and Aladdin finds himself trapped in the cave but the Genie of the Lamp comes to his rescue and so the story unravels to result in a ‘happy ending’ - well not for everyone!!

We first meet Abanazar who was outstandingly played by Nicky Constable. He has such a natural  flair for all things comedic and theatrical so this role was just perfect for him to showcase these talents which he did with such assurance, exuberance and energy. He tries to persuade the audience of his magical prowess by performing some magic tricks, which of course go awry, but they respond to his attempts at currying favour by the usual outburst of ‘boos’. He delivered such a powerfully gruff speaking voice accompanied by such an evil menacing laugh that I did wonder how he had managed to keep this up through the run of the show without losing his voice altogether. His singing of ‘I Want it All’ as he furtively moved down the centre aisle was just superb. All his appearances were accompanied by super ‘thunder and lightening’ sound effects. It was truly a brilliant performance. One outcome that did work was when he rubbed his ‘magic ring’ and the Spirit of the Ring appeared who was an enslaved ‘good spirit’. She was perfectly played by Holly Kirk who so charmingly and gently conveyed her thoughts and goodness. Katie Jones excelled as Aladdin capturing the easy-going, likeable and mischievous nature of the character wonderfully and there was quite a lovely relationship between her and Princess Mandarin who was so delightfully played by Sarah Coupe. Her Handmaiden, So-Shy, was splendidly played by Lyndsey Ashley especially in the scenes that took place in the Laundry. Paul Holland was in his element as Widow Twankey. He had a terrific rapport with the audience and with fellow characters. He has great stage presence and terrific comic timing, his delivery of jokes and asides were exemplary and the scene in the Laundry was just hilarious. Her other son, Wishee Washee, was impressively played by Mathew Makin. He too had a great rapport with the audience and his lively and bright demeanour was superb. Chris Nussey was every inch The Emperor and Peter Maddison was perfect as the Genie of the Lamp. An absolute perfect pairing came from Cohan Wildgoose as Hu-Dun-Pong and from Abbie Proud as Yu-Dun Wong the Chinese Policemen. We first encountered them as they ‘scooted ‘down the centre aisle complete with blue flashing lit helmets. Their antics throughout were so amusingly funny made all the more so by their ‘Chinese dialect speech’ and terrific facial expressions. They were indeed a top notch double act and I loved it when they came towards the audience with powerful water pistols only to squeeze the triggers and when no water came out just shrugged their shoulders saying - ‘Health and Safety’! The Citizens of Peking, the Royal Entourage, Spirits of the Cave and Laundry workers were all played in one way or another by fifty six members of the ensemble. They were all so worthy of praise and for the Pantomime the Group incorporate both their adult and youth sections so there were some very young cast members taking part and I must say they were just so adorable and so disciplined in all of the numbers that they were involved in. It is no mean feat to manage this number of people along with the principals on such a small stage but it was so efficiently achieved with great precision aided at times by the use of a side auditorium entrance. All of the ‘ensemble’ numbers were just superb with excellent singing together with innovative and imaginative dance routines so effectively and impeccably executed. There were so many wonderful scenes, one in particular was the fantastic UV scene with the clouds, the moon, the umbrellas, the dragons, the skeletons, the snakes emerging from boxes which culminated in the magical flying carpet taking them to rescue the Princess and oh, I must mention the enormous axe that was carried on by a very small child for the supposed execution of Aladdin, it was just so funny.

The set which was designed and constructed by Ken Radmore and Mick Whitehouse and beautifully painted by Scenic Artists Andrew and Sabina Aucock. Whilst being quite simple it fitted the bill perfectly from flats depicting a Chinese stylised background to them being turned for the inside of the exquisitely painted cave scene. Tiered staging was either side of the stage and the centre back had a sliding flat enabling entrances and exits. Philip Clark’s super lighting and sound plot together with excellent props all added to the whole ambience. The costumes, many being specially made, were just spectacular. The principal costumes were fabulous as were those for the many dance routines and especially the Chinese style outfits worn by the very young members. Overseeing costumes were Dawn Blackburn, Angela Mitchell and Katie Watkins and Make up, Leanne Barlow. 

It is a very funny script with jokes aplenty which were all delivered, from start to finish, to the highest standard and the hard work that must have ensued from the whole team was so evident not only by myself, but also from the whole audience who so enthusiastically participated in the boos, the cheers, the reciprocal banter and of course the ‘singalong’.

Many congratulations to Directors Leanne Collins and Mick Whitehouse, to Producers Katie Watkins and Mick Whitehouse, to Musical Director Leanne Collins, to Choreographer Leanne Collins, to Group Musical Director and Keyboards Nigel Turner, to the terrific cast, to the Back Stage Crews and to everyone involved in this truly amazing production. My sincere thanks for the very warm welcome I always receive from this wonderful group of people and also my heartfelt thanks for the gorgeous bouquet of flowers that you gave me.

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