Ali BaBa and the Forty Thieves

St Michael’s Pantomime this year was something new, it was the story of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” written once again by that very experienced pantomime writer, Ian Field and directed by the talented June Dowd. The story is based on Ali Baba a character from the folk tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and is said to be one of stories told by Scheherazade in the Tales of One Thousand and One Nights, also known as the Arabian Nights. However, historically the story was thought to have been added to the tales in the 18th century by Antoine Galland, who heard the story from a Syrian storyteller, Hanna Diyab. 

For this version of the tale we had a narrater, none other than the ruler of Bagdad himself, The Caliph  played by the author of the Pantomime Ian Field who looked very much the part and kept us all up to date with the action. Ali Baba a poor woodcutter was very well played by Evie Wallwork, he is in love with his Uncles slave girl Morgiana nicely played by Cheryl Rose-Coulthard, who complemented Evie very well making a believable Pantomime couple. Unfortunately the law says that a free man cannot marry a slave, but Ali has a plan that if he can get rich he can find a way to change the law.Then when Ali was out collecting wood one day, he discovers the location of the Forty Thieves' cave that opens to the words “Open Sesame",The thieves are led by Al Raschoun played by an impressive looking Dave Palin who made a very good Pantomime baddie. Ali helps himself to some of the riches in the cave but unfortunately he is overheard telling the story about the cave by his hen pecked Uncle Kassim, who was well played by Geoff Newman.His wife snobby and  bossy Bella Baba, a good characterisation by Debbie Jones persuades him to go to the cave to get them some of the treasure. Unfortunately he is caught, but then escapes, and the thieves chase and try to kill Ali and his Uncle, however, Morgiana helps foil the thieves plot and Ali and his uncle are saved ,in the end Ali is able to marry Morgiana so the story ends happily.  There was some very enjoyable comedy from David Maloney as Mum Baba Ali’s mum who was complemented by Max Tomlinson as Yessif Y’Like a friend of Ali’s, Max’s scene on his own, hanging out  the washing was excellent, and very funny. Patrick McNulty as Mustapha Double and Ann Wasley as Mustapha Nutha, who had some wonderful comical facial expression, both made a niece comedy duo with some good comic timing, they were helped in their comic capers by a talented young actor Lewis Holding as Abu ben Down a new recruit to the thieves band. There were entertaining performances from Darran Robertson as Mr Taylor, Freya Winstanley as a girl and finally June Dowd and Angie Fagan as Supercal (Ali’s Camel). The chorus of Towns people, traders and thieves put loads of energy and enjoyment into their performance as did the young talented dancers. Happy smiling faces makes a difference, everyone looked as if they were really enjoying themselves, meaning the audience did as well 
The set of Old Baghdad was well built and brightly painted and along with good sound, lighting and bright colourful costumes which were just right for the story, the setting and the characters, giving authenticity to the production, some thought must have gone into getting things right, well done to all backstage workers and set builders
The audience including the children were fully engaged, their appreciation was demonstrated very vocally, there were plenty of shouts screams and boos. Congratulations to you all, cast, crew and production team for an enjoyable evening’s entertainment and a good example of a traditional pantomime.

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