ALADDIN. To 17 January.
Nottingham
ALADDIN
by Kenneth Alan Taylor
Nottingham Playhouse To 17 January 2004
Mon-Sat 7.30pm mat 2.30pm
Audio-described 10,12 December, 8 January 7.30pm 11 December, 6,8 January 2.30pm
BSL Signed 16,18 December 7.30pm, 17 December 2.30pm
Runs: 2hr 50min Two intervals
TICKETS: 0115 9 41 9419
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell: 29th November
A tremendous evening of traditional pantomime fun and frolics.Kenneth Alan Taylor has done it again in his twentieth pantomime at the Playhouse; this production is packed with pantomime fun from start to finish. By the end my hands were sore from clapping and my sides simply ached from laughing so much.
What we have is a straightforward Christmas Pantomime, using all the traditional devices. Therein lies the joy of the piece risqué double entendres, audience participation, slapstick comedy and a hissingly evil villain, all delighting the audience, young and old alike. The only new twist on the Aladdin story is that Widow Twanky now runs a holiday company called 'Twanky's Tours' but of course she has her old laundrette business to fall back on as she tires of the travelling life!
Kenneth Alan Taylor always makes a wonderful dame but it's his easy relationship with an audience he knows so well that makes his pantomimes such enjoyable experiences.
This year another dame in the form of Jeffrey Longmore joins him as the Marchioness of Mansfield and the two of them make a formidable comic duo, particularly deft in delivering swift ad-libs in response to jovial hecklers from the audience!
The whole cast appear to be having an absolute ball and by the end of the evening even the ever-so-serious Genie was giggling along with the rest of them. Of course good triumphs over evil in the end and I'm sure there are some who could explore the deeper themes of servitude and greed, but for one evening of the year it really is a time for putting any serious thoughts away and giving oneself over completely to fun and frivolity.
My own children took particular delight in singing along to the big musical numbers and for once did not insist my dancing was the most embarrassing sight ever, as just about every audience member was up on their feet. The finale is a spectacularly glitzy affair as we are treated to a hilarious send up of the musical Chicago.
As my youngest daughter succinctly put it, 'even the baddy was happy at the end'.
Wishee Washee: John Elkington
Aladdin: Francesca Ellis
Widow Twankey: Kenneth Alan Taylor
The Marchioness: Jeffrey Longmore
Victoria: Louise Freeman:
Abanaza: Kevin McGowan:
Genie of the Lamp: Everal A Walsh:
Slave of the Ring: Michelle Hardwick:
Bass Guitar: Emilio Montuori
Guitars: Tony Quinta
Drums and Percussion: Steve Smith
Keyboards: Simon Walters
Purple Team: Emma Clarke, Hannah Hand, Charlotte Houldsworth, Hannah Keogh, Kirsten Mould, Katie Moulton, Sara Oakden, Amy Rowbottom.
Reserves: Jessica Hatfield, Mia Petruccio.
Pink Team: Jasmine Barnes, Brittany Carver, Hayley Hardie, Nicola Kirkham, Danielle Sheppard, Frankie Stevenson, Keeley Taylor, Rachael Thomas.
Reserves: Rachel Clements, Natasha Benniston.
Hunters: Tyne Harding, Lydia Keely-McLennon, Maria Nevers, Susie Skill
Director: Kenneth Alan Taylor
Designer/Costume: Gary Underwood
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Sound: Drew Baumohl
Musical Supervisor: John Morton
Musical Director: Simon Walters
Choreographer: Adele Parry
Dance Captain: Francesca Ellis
2003-12-02 10:46:59