Aladdin Review by Elizabeth Sheldon |
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This production of the ever popular Aladdin, is showing from the 6th December to the 20th January and tonight was the first Tuesday of the production. I can say that over the years, I have seen many pantomimes, mostly at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, where I used to live and without doubt, this was the best I have experienced. The cast enjoyed performing, it the audience loved it and wanted more. As we walked into the theatre, the stage was spread with a fabulous backdrop as we waited for the curtain to rise. Glorious colours, shapes and it was very sparkly. This set our expectations for what was to come. The sets were magnificent, everything was co-ordinated in terms of shape and colour and they just got better and better. My congratulations to Terry Parsons the designer, for a perfectly designed set. It must be said however, that Aladdin is one of the tales of medieval Arabian origin, The Arabian Nights but this Aladdin is set in Peking and there were Egyptian idols and the Pyramids in some of the sets. This must be confusing for some of the children in the audience. The main character “Wishee Washee” was played by Bradley Walsh, who wrote the script and directed the production. He was perfectly cast as the funny man on set. He loved every moment and adlibbed frequently enough to put off some of the other actors who then dissolved into fits of the giggles along with Walsh himself. He made good topical jokes about the local area and current news items and what I loved best of all; it was not bawdy and coarse. The humour was perfect for full family fun. Widow Twanky was played by Eric Potts, and actor who has played in many theatre and television shows, including Peak Practice, Brookside and Chasing Rainbows. He was good as the “Dame”, but I believe I have seen better in past productions Ronnie Corbett for example. Pott costumes got better and better as the show progressed culminating in a spectacular frock in the finale. Aladdin was played by Michael Quinn, clearly a professional singer and dancer. He was appropriately cast in the role and performed well. He should vary his facial expressions, as at times, I thought his face had got stuck looking surprised! Granville Saxton, (Rough Justice and Our Friends in the North), as Abanazar, was perfectly evil and elicited many boos and hisses through the evening. Just what is required when watching a pantomime. The dancers were great, happy professional and they looked good. Special mention must be made of the children on stage, the RED team, they were wonderful. Again the costumes were lavish and looked fabulous. The dancers and children all wore similar wigs which I think made all the difference to the authentication of the show. I loved it, some of the scenes were highly original, the twelve days of Christmas for example, and when Bradley Walsh had all the teenage boys singing and dancing along, I though the success was complete. Bradley Walsh said at the end “you have a wonderful theatre here in Milton Keynes” and we do - go see Aladdin, you will not be disappointed. by Elizabeth Sheldon |