Director: Patrick Sandord
Reviewer: Jim Nicholson & the 1st Sholing Girl Guides.
Jim
Every newspaper tells us that kids have changed and when four year
old Lauren, up on stage to help make a cake, is asked what she wants for Christmas and replies “a Nintendo DS” you think they may be right, but during the two and half hours of, almost, traditional panto as us “olduns” remember it, reality is there and the kids, parents and grand-parents alike laugh at the bad jokes, groan at the puns, join in all the songs and are ready to warn those on stage exactly what is happening behind them. These Nintendo gadgets will never last as long as the good old British Panto.
This version of Aladdin has been adapted and directed by Patrick Sandford, the Nuffield Theatres Artistic Director, and as he says in the programme he does not claim “writers” credits as actors, both past and present, have contributed hugely to the show. That said, when a panto has no television comedy star name homing in on their own “catchphrases” it has to live or die by the script and abilities of the director and this Aladdin certainly “lives”.
We know we are in China Town in 1956 and throughout are treated by a small band to some well known songs, that fit particular scenes, as well as some songs written specifically for the show. Katie Melua’s "Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing" and the timeless "Slow Boat to China" are just two numbers that help settle us into our oriental habitat for the evening.
Widow Twanky (Matthew Callum) is unquestionably our star and even Jordan would need a couple more operations before she could stand, without embarrassment, side by side with our “heroine”, her physique ably supporting two Madonna style wicker cones that could easily double up as wastepaper baskets. We find out her deceased husband was named Franky (Twanky) and that she had invested all her money in an origami company that had since folded.
Persil and Omo are everywhere as her laundry hosts a lunch visit from the Emperor (Michael Magnet) and his beautiful daughter, the Princess Jasmine (Amanda Wilkin), who is
the centre of attention for the “head over heels in love” Aladdin (Alton Letto) but, as you would expect, the meal is far from a trip to “the Ivy” and it’s not long before the request for the table to be spruced up with a flower results in an unexpected (well expected really) flurry of “Homepride” from above and I am sure none of the guests will ever order soup in a restaurant again.
Another star turn and a crowd favourite is Wishee Washee (Michael Cole), who reminds me very much in looks and delivery of a young Tim Vine, and he has a similar “naff but loveably funny” style and rapport with our audience especially as they guard his goldfish for him.
The Genie of the Lamp (Michele Moran) has a lovely singing voice and it is easy to see why she regularly stars in cabaret performances in London’s Venue and Jermyn Street theatres.
The baddy Abananzer, played with some style by Chook Sibtain, is finally caught and arrested by keyboard playing policeman/musical director Matt Devereaux who arrests him under “the Prevention of Naughtiness Act” and assures us of the impartiality of the Metropolitan Police at all times, except when deciding if the left side or the right side of the audience were loudest when singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
All in all a real fun night out for all the family and my only complaint was the lack of stage time for the lamp which could have done with more rubbing (oooohhh matron!).
Nicki Age 11
I saw Peter Pan last year and Cinderella the year before and tonight’s show was even better than either of those. Widow Twanky was fantastic and “her” awful singing just made her funnier and funnier, in actual fact it was so bad there must be chance of success on “the X Factor”. Princess Jasmine had a very nice singing voice and with each dress change she looked more and more stunning. Aladdin had some great outfits as well.
It was a very funny show and the young kids on stage really helped carry the story along, and looked really good when they did their Tai Chi dance routine. Oh and mum I want a Nintendo DS as well.
Libby age 13
The flying carpet stunt was really clever but I could see the hands of the people carrying it, they could solve that easily with a half a dozen pairs of black gloves. Their belts were too shiny as well. But that would be my only minor criticism.
I thought that Abananzer was a really scary character although when he sung (Nobody Loves You When Your Down and Out) you could feel sorry for him, but minutes later he was back to his baddest. Widow Twanky was the star for me as well and told no end of funny jokes.
The ending with Wishee Washee's goldfish growing the size of a whale was really enjoyable as well. It was a really good show.
Every newspaper tells us that kids have changed and when four year
old Lauren, up on stage to help make a cake, is asked what she wants for Christmas and replies “a Nintendo DS” you think they may be right, but during the two and half hours of, almost, traditional panto as us “olduns” remember it, reality is there and the kids, parents and grand-parents alike laugh at the bad jokes, groan at the puns, join in all the songs and are ready to warn those on stage exactly what is happening behind them. These Nintendo gadgets will never last as long as the good old British Panto.This version of Aladdin has been adapted and directed by Patrick Sandford, the Nuffield Theatres Artistic Director, and as he says in the programme he does not claim “writers” credits as actors, both past and present, have contributed hugely to the show. That said, when a panto has no television comedy star name homing in on their own “catchphrases” it has to live or die by the script and abilities of the director and this Aladdin certainly “lives”.
We know we are in China Town in 1956 and throughout are treated by a small band to some well known songs, that fit particular scenes, as well as some songs written specifically for the show. Katie Melua’s "Nine Million Bicycles in Beijing" and the timeless "Slow Boat to China" are just two numbers that help settle us into our oriental habitat for the evening.
Widow Twanky (Matthew Callum) is unquestionably our star and even Jordan would need a couple more operations before she could stand, without embarrassment, side by side with our “heroine”, her physique ably supporting two Madonna style wicker cones that could easily double up as wastepaper baskets. We find out her deceased husband was named Franky (Twanky) and that she had invested all her money in an origami company that had since folded.
Persil and Omo are everywhere as her laundry hosts a lunch visit from the Emperor (Michael Magnet) and his beautiful daughter, the Princess Jasmine (Amanda Wilkin), who is
the centre of attention for the “head over heels in love” Aladdin (Alton Letto) but, as you would expect, the meal is far from a trip to “the Ivy” and it’s not long before the request for the table to be spruced up with a flower results in an unexpected (well expected really) flurry of “Homepride” from above and I am sure none of the guests will ever order soup in a restaurant again.Another star turn and a crowd favourite is Wishee Washee (Michael Cole), who reminds me very much in looks and delivery of a young Tim Vine, and he has a similar “naff but loveably funny” style and rapport with our audience especially as they guard his goldfish for him.
The Genie of the Lamp (Michele Moran) has a lovely singing voice and it is easy to see why she regularly stars in cabaret performances in London’s Venue and Jermyn Street theatres.
The baddy Abananzer, played with some style by Chook Sibtain, is finally caught and arrested by keyboard playing policeman/musical director Matt Devereaux who arrests him under “the Prevention of Naughtiness Act” and assures us of the impartiality of the Metropolitan Police at all times, except when deciding if the left side or the right side of the audience were loudest when singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
All in all a real fun night out for all the family and my only complaint was the lack of stage time for the lamp which could have done with more rubbing (oooohhh matron!).
Nicki Age 11
I saw Peter Pan last year and Cinderella the year before and tonight’s show was even better than either of those. Widow Twanky was fantastic and “her” awful singing just made her funnier and funnier, in actual fact it was so bad there must be chance of success on “the X Factor”. Princess Jasmine had a very nice singing voice and with each dress change she looked more and more stunning. Aladdin had some great outfits as well.
It was a very funny show and the young kids on stage really helped carry the story along, and looked really good when they did their Tai Chi dance routine. Oh and mum I want a Nintendo DS as well.
Libby age 13
The flying carpet stunt was really clever but I could see the hands of the people carrying it, they could solve that easily with a half a dozen pairs of black gloves. Their belts were too shiny as well. But that would be my only minor criticism.
I thought that Abananzer was a really scary character although when he sung (Nobody Loves You When Your Down and Out) you could feel sorry for him, but minutes later he was back to his baddest. Widow Twanky was the star for me as well and told no end of funny jokes.
The ending with Wishee Washee's goldfish growing the size of a whale was really enjoyable as well. It was a really good show.
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