Aladdin

This was a very entertaining traditional production of Aladdin from St Paul’s Players written by Alan P. Frayne that had lots of “oh no it isn’t”, Boos and hisses from the audience throughout the performance which is very important in the success of a pantomime.There were also some very good performances from the cast with some good teamwork, spot on comic timing and a traditional principal boy in the shape of the talented Vicky Birchall as a very good Aladdin. The villainous Abanazar played by Rob Armstrong was a very slippery and devious character  and the adding of a vocal pop on the p  every time he said the word lamp was very funny and caught the attention of the children in the audience who gave him plenty of boos. Helena Carter made a nice sweet Princess Mandarian while Dax Owen was a very cheeky but funny Wishee Washee who along with Ken Brindley as Widow Twankey gave us some very good comedy, working well together and having a good rapport with the audience. Judith Armstrong and David Greenfield as the police men Hu- Dun- Wong and Hu-Dun-Pong were suitably dim and entertaining and Siobhan Edge gave us a comical bossy Empress. The princesses handmaiden So –Shy played very well by Becca Hilton was  involved in a lot of the comedy and the two Genies  fitted the bill and were Debbie Leyland as the Spirit of the Ring and Liam Jones as the Genie of the Lamp who had a  different form of transport for each of his entrances. The chorus performed the choreography by Heather Rodd with lots of energy and enthusiasm which suited the production well although some of the dancing was a little distracting during a duet between Aladdin and the Princess. There was also a good selection of songs sung well and accompanied by backing tracks which were known to all age groups in the audience. The sets, lighting and sound were excellent and costumes were very colourful and just right for the production, well done to Stage Manager Stephen Blundell, Scenic Artist Howard Bates and all the hardworking backstage crew.

Congratulations must go to Director Phil Armstrong Production Coordinators Liz Blundell and Lily Blundell and to all involved in this very entertaining production for a very enjoyable evening. Thank you for making my family and me welcome and I hope to see you for your next production.

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