Aladdin

~~The well known story of Aladdin is probably one of the nation’s favourite pantomimes and the mainly young cast performed with much enthusiasm and sense of comedy that the audience were kept fully amused for the entire show.
Hannah Couch (Aladdin) and Bronte Ridgway (Princess Mandarin) blended well together and showed some good acting skills, whilst Michael Sidle (Wishee Washee) and Esther Taylor (So Shy) provided the sub plot with Wishee’s antics and the demure approach of So Shy, the princesses hand maiden.
Matthew Hinch and Bobby Worthington as Yu-Dun-Wong and Hu-Dun-Pong playing the parts of the two inept Chinese policemen complete with accents showed the audience how the police should act at high speed at all times. The Spirit of the Ring (Angie Mckenna) was convincing in her part as was Margaret Tones as the Genie of the Lamp.
Jonathon Wardle obviously relished the role of Abanazar, the wicked uncle playing wiyh dramatic effect and having a good control over the usual unruly audience who do not like the “baddie” and booed and hissed at the appropriate moments.
However, the star of the show was, without doubt Sue Jackson in the role of Aladdin’s mother, Widow Twankey, outrageously dressed with crazy hats to match, constantly on the lookout to play up to the audience whilst striving to maintain an air of mischievousness and dignity at the same time. No mean feat.
Other members of the cast and the small chorus combined to give good support to the major principals.
The choreography was kept simple, effective and well drilled particularly the tap dance number in the second act.
Scenery, costumes and lighting were well thought out and added to the overall picture.
An excellent piece of entertainment.

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