Aladdin & the Pirates

I was delighted to attend The Misfits Amateur Theatre Blackpool’s pantomime Aladdin & The Pirates by Brian Luff, performed at Holy Cross Church Hall.

It is important to note the unusual and challenging circumstances surrounding this production. The company’s usual venue became unavailable due to flooding shortly before Christmas, and the move to an alternative space at short notice inevitably added pressure at an already busy time of year. The Director also noted late cast changes due to illness and commitments, and it is to the company’s credit that the show still went on, and, importantly, was delivered within budget.

Brian Luff’s Aladdin & The Pirates is a traditional family pantomime with plenty of scope for comedy, bold characters and upbeat storytelling. The cast embraced the panto style with enthusiasm and a real sense of togetherness. In a venue with no sound amplification and very limited technical support, it was particularly encouraging to see performers making a clear effort to project, stay focused, and keep the story moving. The show was evidently well rehearsed, and the company worked hard to maintain energy and momentum throughout.

The cast list shows a strong spread of characters and clear commitment across the company. Mickey Horrocks as Aladdin worked hard at the heart of the story and brought a likeable presence to the role. Sophia Bickerdike as Princess Eugenie gave the character warmth and confidence. Ian Langley as Widow Twangy clearly understood the panto style and delivered with an engaging, comedic energy. Harry Chambers as The Emperor played the role with enthusiasm and helped bring clarity to the narrative scenes. Andrew Dutton as Captain Abanazer committed fully to the villainy and gave the audience someone to enjoy “booing” in true panto tradition. Heather Crump as Boney Malone, Ceri-Ann Corcoran as Inspector Plunk, Shannon Jones as Beth, and Carol Crump as PC Plonk each contributed strongly to the team spirit on stage, with several fun moments and character interactions that the audience appreciated. Andy Welsh as Genie of the Ring and Glenn Priestley as Gene Genie brought contrasting energies that helped keep the pace lively, while Matthew Welsh as Monty the Penguin added an extra element of family-friendly humour. Fern Crump, who is also a founding member of the society, took on the demanding dual role of Director and performer (as Handy Sandy). The production was well organised and clearly rehearsed, particularly given the late changes and venue upheaval, and the show was kept moving with good overall structure and momentum. Fern’s commitment to ensuring the performance went ahead under difficult circumstances was evident, and it provided a strong sense of leadership and stability for a relatively new group.

The staging and technical set-up were basic, with minimal lighting and simple music playback. These constraints naturally limit atmosphere and polish, but the company met the challenge with determination and made the best of what was available. There were some fun moments that landed well, and the overall feel was very much community theatre in the true sense of the word: a group of people coming together to create an enjoyable afternoon for a family audience, despite limited resources and a number of obstacles.

One of the strongest aspects of The Misfits is the clear purpose behind the group. The society’s commitment to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment, and to making theatre accessible, including offering opportunities for those who may not always feel they “fit” elsewhere, is a real strength and something to be proud of. The mission statement’s focus on supporting the group, developing performances, and contributing to the wider community is admirable, and it is easy to see how this ethos underpins the company’s work and spirit.

It was a shame that more people were not able to attend, as the group deserves a wider audience and greater awareness locally. Continued promotion and visibility should help build attendance over time and with stability around venue and continued experience gained from regular productions, the company has a strong foundation to grow from.

Thank you again to everyone involved on stage and behind the scenes, and best wishes to The Misfits as the society continues to develop and establish itself in the local theatre community.

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