Disney Aladdin Jr

Disney Aladdin Jr (Musical) performed and stage by Chorley Youth Theatre (CADOS) at Chorley Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley on Friday 11th July 2025.

The musical ... Disney’s Aladdin Jr is based on a book penned by Chad Beguelin, with Music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Ched Beguelin. In Agrabah, City of Enchantment, every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! Aladdin, a kind but wily, street urchin, falls in love with beautiful Princess Jasmine, who he knows is ‘way, way, way out of his league. It just so happens, however, that the Sultan has declared that Princess Jasmine must choose a husband within the next day. After she turns down the offers from various wealthy suitors, Aladdin ... with the help of a fast-talking, magical Genie, introduces himself as wealthy suitor Prince Ali of Ababwa. Meanwhile, evil royal advisor Jafar also has his sights set on the kingdom, and tries to convince the Sultan to force Jasmine to wed him. Will love conquer all? Perhaps - if love has a little help from a Genie.

Production Team... chosen to guide us on this ‘magic carpet ride’ was Natalie Howarth and Katie Potter (Directors), Rachel Toner (Musical Director) and Gemma Nightingale (Choreographer) and what a great job they did, especially when to consider the logistics of moving forty-one excited, well-rehearsed cast members around and on and off stage and that’s before you start to ask them to dance (well done Gemma).  But from the word ‘go’, the cast looked ready for the many challenges that lay ahead, including the fact that they were performing this musical during possibly the hottest week of the year with temperatures in the mid 30’s, but none of that was going to deter this energy driven cast! I think it was obvious throughout that Natalie and Katie had a good idea of what they wanted from this cast and how to achieve it... every inch of stage was used to great effect and that was mirrored by the choreography set by Gemma which was simple yet effective and obviously set at levels that ‘showcased’ those involved.  Rachel did a great job with the music side of things which was performed to taped tracks.  Well done you three, I really do believe that you cast the show well and got the best from all those involved!

The Cast... effort, enthusiasm, energy... is what you expect from any youth performance and we got all that and more! I always try to include every cast member in my show report; if you put in the effort, I believe you deserve to be mentioned, so: Theo Jones – Aladdin; Bea Smith – Jasmine; Mo Toner – Genie; Daniel Melling – Jafar; Olivia Wade – Iago; Suhayb Pal – Sultan; Harry Clark – Omar; Freddie Wilson – Babkak; Eva May Gregory – Kassim; Sonya Thompson – Rajah; Sam Entwistle – Razoul; Annie Dawson – Isir; Immy Dawson – Manal; Jonathan Davies – Prince Abdullah/Dancer; Freya De Norbrega – Magic Carpet/Dancer.  Ensemble: (supported the principles ever so well) ...Grace Du Feu, Millie Evans, Allyssa Gresty, Juliette Hardy, Aurora Hughes, Henry Johnson, Nina Keyton, Maja Kolasinska, Ashley McClean, Effie Scorah, Bella Smelt, Sophia Spragg, Alfie Woods, Hermione Jones /Jonathan Davies (Dance Captains), Olivia Alice, Ethan Barnes, Eva Birtwell, Izaac Latham, Thomas Clarkson, Rebecca Fulop, Annabel Lynch, Laila Sehari and Poppy Thorne and as usual, I’m going to ‘stick my neck out’ and pick a ‘show stealer and a few favourite characters ...these are MY Favourites and MY Show stealer, you’ll no doubt have your own, but these are mine... SHOWSTEALER had to be our lead Theo Jones who took on the role of‘Aladdin’.  Theo, really looked like he was enjoying playing this role, confident, energy driven, he really did make this role his own.  Not only is Theo blessed with good stage presence, he has a good singing voice too... really did enjoy his rendition of ‘One Jump Ahead, sung with his three buddies Omar, Kassim and Babkak, Harry Clark, Eva May Gregory and Freddie Wilson and his wonderful duet with Jasmine (Bea Smith), the iconic song ‘A Whole New World’ ... be very proud Theo great job young man! I’m slightly cheating here for my first favourite by selecting Jafar and side kick Iago played by Daniel Melling and Olivia Wade respectively. Daniel was without doubt evil, would definitely do anything to gain power! He worked extremely well with Olivia Wade who played his side kick Iago who I just loved. Olivia’s cheeky humour ... mannerisms, facial expressions were right up my street... be proud you two great job! Final favourite was
Sam Entwistle who I saw play ‘Maui’ twelve months ago in Chorley Youth Production of Moana.  This year Sam did a great job with the role of Razoul the Commanding -Officer of the Sultan’s Guard whose sole purpose in life was to keep the streets clean of street rats!  Honestly, I could go on... but, be assured, if I haven’t mentioned you directly, please, please, please, don’t think you weren’t noticed... because that’s so far from the truth... you all played your part well which contributed to the success of the musical. 

Staging/Tech/Set... loved the staging and the set, which as always, used every available inch and with so many cast members that was imperative as well as the well thought out access/exit points.  In charge of all things stage wise we had Rebecca Moran (Stage Manager) and her crew Alan Levesley, Cas Jellicoe and Ella Green. Set design, construction and painting was in the trusted hands of Shaun McManus, Stephen Clipston, Leigh Mower, Maureen Strand, Katie Potter, Gill Brotherton, Alex Bond, Owen Hall, Paul Carr, Selina Gregory, Jacob Prince and Natalie Howarth. Tech Design and Operation was in the ever so capable hands of Paul Carr and Ben Holden which worked ever so well throughout. Loved the projection, the ‘Cave of Wonders’ scene was drawn and animated by Ian Robinson all of which just added to the overall effect.  Spotlight Team included Thomas Bramwell, Ellie and Myah Brookfield, Efini Morgan and Laura Tingle. 
Props ... which, as always, were first class and added to the production .... looked after by Ro Littlejohns and Judi Brewster
Costumes... were bright, colourful, perfect for this production... designed by Juliet Ratliffe and under the watchful eye of Karen Thompson-Butler, Judi Brewster, Carol Brooks, Janie Savage and Kath Townsend

Constructive Advice...  hope I don’t offend, but something for us all to work on....
‘Spoken Word’ - never forget that your audience needs to hear and understand everything you say! If you speak and the audience doesn’t of can’t understand what you’ve said, then the storyline can get lost. ‘Diction’ for the most part was good...but there were occasions when the volume dropped or the accent/change in voice... made what was being said slightly incomprehensible
‘Accents’ - the use of 'accents' or a ‘slightly different voice’ to your norm, is and can be a vital tool in theatre when creating a character. If you use them, you really do need to ensure that your audience can again understand all you say, even if you’re taking the smallest of cameo roles!  If you use them, ensure that they are used throughout your performance and if you sing... try and put the accent into the lyrics... not easy I know – but if achieved, really can and does enhance your performance!

Chaperones...  Youth Production would not get staged with these ‘selfless’ people who wear the badge saying ‘chaperone’.  I always make mention of these ‘unsung heroes’ who for this production included: Julie Norris, Keiron and Gill Fulop, Hazel Lynch, Cara Jones, Ruth Quaglieri, Kate Latham, Lillian Duffy, Joanne Kirby and Marc McCormack ... but without who, Youth Productions and Adult Production with Youth involvement could not take place...  be proud folks ... YOU’RE doing a fabulous job!

Thank you so much for the invite, I really do love watching youth productions... the energy, the effort the enthusiasm and the ‘smiles’ on these young people’s faces is infectious. Another great show provided by an enthusiastic cast of young people hear at Chorley... I think the future is in safe hands here at Chorley Theatre, CADOS and Chorley Youth Theatre.

Keep well...
Stronger Together
Jim Briscoe ...
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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