ALADDIN till 5th February.
ALADDIN
by Jon Conway.
The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
Runs: 2hrs 30mins. Interval: 20 minutes: box office 01902 42 92 12. Runs until Sun 5 February 2006.
Ranjit Khutan: 13th December 2005.
A source of constant and ever changing delightsIt’s panto season again and the Grand theatre has outdone itself by staging this production of Aladdin. The magical tale of the street urchin Aladdin, how he overthrows the evil Abanazar and then wins the hand of Princess Jasmine is retold in the Grand’s production through elaborate sets, amazing special effects, acrobatics, dance sequences, songs and live magic.
The production is packed full of energy – in particular from Billy Pearce – whose role as Aladdin is amazing to watch. Pearce’s energy is astounding; from the minute he arrives on stage to when the final curtain drops his energy is at top speed. He knows how to make children laugh and it is clear to see why he deserves the ‘Comedian of The Year’ accolade from the TV Comedy Awards. His performance is reminiscent of a child who has consumed far too much sugar and (as an adult watching) I half expected him to burn out, but he sustains it throughout.
This performance is contrasted well by the solemn and bitter Abanazar – played by John Challis – who merely has to grimace or groan to obtain a flood of ‘boos’ from the audience. Bobby Bennett plays the larger than life Widow Twanky and clearly enjoys sassing up his role through his cheeky delivery of the double entendres. Philip Hitchcock plays the emperor and the wizard and performs spectacular live illusions – the dove scene will leave you speechless; as does Aladdin’s magical carpet ride - he really does fly on a magic carpet!!.
Full of quick witted lines, obligatory one liners as well as many new jokes; The Grand's Aladdin will keep you in a constant state of uncontrollable laughter. A well thought through performance that will appeal to all ages.
Abanazar: John Challis.
Widow Twanky: Bobby Bennett.
Aladdin: Billy Pearce.
The Emperor/Wizard: Philip Hitchcock.
Princess Jasmine: Luisa Cusano.
Enie of the Lamp: Scott Taylor.
So-shy: Polly Parsons.
Chinese Policemen: Jason Beeston, Terry Lamb.
Ensemble: Kayti Clark, Aby Kate, Scott Mobley, Jessica Parker, Nick Swift, Helen Ternent.
The Babes: Dance 2 Gether.
Director: John Bishop.
Choreographer: Simon Coulthard.
Musical Director: David Lane
Lighting Designer: Adam Bassett
2005-12-16 10:43:46