Disney Aladdin Jnr

It was an evening of delight to see a cast of 34 happy young people performing this mystical musical with precision and confidence. I cannot mention you all personally but want to say to every one of you thank you for putting your hearts and souls into executing such a polished entertainment. The future of live theatre in our communities depends on you, so keep it up. Teamwork is key and the older performers encouraging the younger ones also gives you credit.

The story of Aladdin is colourful, vibrant and fun with the magic of a Genie and a magic lamp, a flying carpet, and costumes full of eastern promise. Rags to riches, the good v bad element, misunderstandings, comedy, romance, dance, and wonderfully catchy music – all ingredients for a good tale.

Joanne Stevens not only directed with such dedication, but created slick movement, she designed the sets and scenery too. All beautifully constructed and painted by a large team of helpers to a high standard with an attractive market scene with the props ladies providing the numerous extras. A rostrum towards backstage gave height and the build ons either side of the stage were set to create other areas – one housing the magic carpet contained within a moveable frame. The palace change worked well with the addition of small flats and with clever lighting, the three doorways with foils sparkled. The entrance to the cave was well managed neatly with Ruth Palmer SM and her crew assisting. Adam Briggs and SEL Live assisted by Jane Francis creating the sound, magical effects and lighting. I was seated towards the back of the hall and the clarity of speech commencing with the two performers duet introduction was to be applauded, as too were the musical numbers, so well taught under Linda’s direction, well learned, with particular mention to the harmonising achieved enhancing the sound.

With his rendition of ‘Proud of the Boy’ emotionally put across, Owen Silver takes the leading role of hero Aladdin, a penniless lad of Agrabahn, always in trouble with his pals, Babkak, Omar and Kassim running from the Guards. Toby Jaquet, Zoe Brewer and Jaymie-Leigh Jenkins making a good supportive team, getting into mischief, with good energetic numbers and plenty of chasing. Aladdin falls for Jasmine – really the disguised Princess. His luck changes when he finds a magic lamp that releases the fast talking, energetic, athletic Oliver Jaquet as an all-American Genie, who grants him three wishes thus testing his moral character and the adventure begins. Princess Jasmine, the Sultan’s daughter, is to marry and wants the freedom to choose whom she should marry. She was delightfully played by Sophie Jaquet and together with Aladdin she sang the lovely duet of ‘A Whole New World’. She was supported throughout by her attendants,  Isir, Manal and Rajah namely Caitlin Ness, Ruth Barton and Flossy Baldwin. The villainous Jafar, Ted Rennie, appeared as menacing both in appearance and voice, the Sultan’s aide who hatches evil plans to retrieve the lamp to become Sultan himself and together with his sidekick, eager lacky Iago, cheekily played by Jacob Smith, who of course get defeated.

Other cameo roles and parts were so well individually characterised adding to the story that unfolded. I enjoyed the choreographed uniform movement, the shapes created. The chase sequences, the precision fighting, the blades and various weapons synchronized and together with the strong musical numbers – words well remembered and a lot of smiling the enjoyment of it all came across to the audience.

The vibrant array of eastern costumes was created by Wardrobe team Sarah, Sue and Sandra with obvious great attention to detail, with neat hair styling and appropriate make up too.

The finale was so very slick, quite rousing with all the cast involved. This was an exceptionally good performance and a thank you to those behind the scenes doing all the other necessary jobs to ensure a smooth-running production.

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