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The showing I was present at was very different to other performances: part of the beautifully designed and painted set had unfortunately blown away so the actors were on the Bowl itself with the audience perched at the edges.
This came as a blessing in disguise as the performance was much more intimate and welcoming. It really allowed the actors the freedom to move about and be much more relaxed. The audience really felt part of the performance, and the actors were confident in playing off this relationship.
The play was a wonderful mix of the surreal (a modern day publicist, Reginald Allen, being hurled into Aladdin’s world); with the occasional sneer at modern culture (continued reference to the unpopular Nicola from Girls Aloud was amusing even to those with no knowledge of the group).
It was cleverly written, and the tireless efforts of both the cast and crew were evident in the final result.
Usually in a pantomime, the audience will remember one character with most pleasure. In Aladdin, however, there were half a dozen. Will Seaward’s final bow was exemplary. Not only does he deliver lines with humour, finesse and a surprisingly large amount of drama and emotion, but he was able to keep the audience guffawing with his adlib.
The jelly man was hilariously bizarre, along with the Beetle-man. Both of these characters, incidentally, were played by the scriptwriters, so a double round of applause for their efforts.
Aladdin’s mother (Marc Vestey) was superb: rude, lecherous but ever so watchable. The effeminate genie (Paddy Fysh) was one of the great characters you expect from a panto and the publicist was both full of innuendo and style. (The moment he awkwardly eats a plum while trying to stare down Jasmine’s top was priceless). The brief appearances of Hussein (a camel/horse loving salesman), the Admiral, the Ruler of Agrabah and Ali Baba meant the ensemble cast were a joy to watch.
Yes, it was bit long and needed more editing, but it is a panto. It is meant to be an epic journey told in the most extravagant way. Yes, I could have done without the sing-a-longs to recent pop songs, but it is a panto. It was cleverly written, and the tireless efforts of both the cast and crew were evident in the final result. All in all, it was an uproarious treat for the end of the year. A summer pantomime next summer, please.
Hurrah for The Yorker!
Jellyman/Matt Hawkins wrote the script alone. Beetleman/Tim Pearson was wondeful but not involved in the writing process....though he might in the future.
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