ALADDIN by Tyger Productions

Well its come to that time of year again where it is the season for pantomime, so without a doubt I find myself performing in this years Gloucestershire panto Aladdin. I played the role of Wishy Washee, fantastic experience overall for myself as I was performing as a comical character which isn’t my ‘normal’ casting! I loved every single moment, I think I developed many skills and improvising techniques during the shows and I really feel in love with the simple minded, fun loving character.

ALADDIN Tyger Productions King’s Theatre,

Sunday 13th December 2015

Nonchalant camels, a wisecracking genie, another one afflicted by Spoonerisms, the Dance of the Seven Tea Towels and the requisite audience participation – the pantomime gang’s all here at Gloucester’s King’s Theatre (oh, yes, it is). Anyone in the mood for a laundry-load of jaunty songs, a litany of corny jokes as long as The Great Wall of China, including the Great Aladd-Out Gag, whacky characters, pratfalls and, somewhere in the mix, the desire to rule the world will be well satisfied with Tyger Productions’ seasonal serving of oriental anarchy.

I have to admit to a few misgivings early on, especially when a backing chorus track nearly drowned out the cast during the opening song, but these were soon consigned to oblivion as this spirited production gathered momentum. The wardrobe and design teams had clearly been working overtime to create a striking set and plenty of eye-catching costumes, while the lighting team equally scored points, as swathes of green, red and purple washed over the mist-suffused stage.

Elsewhere in the Forbidden City, there was plenty more sparkle. Jo Alexander radiated sweetness and charm in the title role, as she wooed the beautiful Princess Jasmin. The oafish policemen injected oodles of infectious idiocy, without saying “ ’Ello ’ello ’ello!” once, before losing some height and years in Wishy-Washy’s laundrette. Meanwhile, all rise for the assured Phil McCormick who stole the show with a wonderfully smooth, almost Basil Fawlty-ish, portrayal of winsome Widow Twankey, who also appeared to have collided with one of her own washing lines. Give me a good villain anytime, though, and Neil Smith oozed plenty of evil as the suave and scheming Abanazar (or should that be Ahahahabanazer? That was some laugh).

But this jolly little romp saved the best for a few magical moments during the second act, beginning with the finest representation of a cave scene I have ever witnessed. Backlit, with Abanazer gazing in from the rear at Aladdin floundering about in the darkness, negotiating a brace of tap-dancing skeletons here and some outsize rocks there, it’s a pity this sequence had to end. It did, but not before the blackness played its part in a convincing flying carpet illusion. There was even room for amusing tributes to Celebrity Big Brother, sat navs and Abbot and Costello’s famous Who’s On First? sketch, along with superheroes Spiderman, Superman and Batman to carry it all triumphantly into the rousing finale.

Oh, and Kyle – did you enjoy the performance? I certainly did. Check it out while there are still tickets left.

Simon Lewis