| Aladdin |
|
Written by Alan P Frayn. Directed by John Kelland
Performed on Wednesday 26 November - Saturday 29 November 2008 at Pentyrch Village Hall
|
|
Summary The well known story of a poor wastrel boy, Aladdin, who has access to a cave and to an old lamp which has incredible powers. The evil Eyptian sorceror, Abanazar, hears about this and tries to gain access to the lamp and take over the world. However, Aladdin has other uses for the lamp and uses the power of the lamp to defeat the sorceror and gain the princess' hand in marriage. NODA Review Aladdin’s lamp suffered a few power cuts when I visited Hilltop for the first pantomime of the season at the Pentyrch Village Hall in late November. Fortunately they didn’t detract from the show, in fact, provided fodder to the quick thinking cast as a running gag. Without being flamboyant or OTT, Phil Davies proved a hit with well timed and pointed comedy, to give us a droll, matronly Widow Twankey, and leaving the energetic, slapstick humour to Liam Daley as her boisterous son, Wishee Washee – and the laughs kept coming fast. I don’t know about the kids but I thought Huw Williams was one of the best Abanazer’s I have seen, a bug-eyed, sneering nasty who well earned his rewarding ‘boo’s’. Victoria Walters, as our hero, Aladdin, knew how to sing and act the role and was delightful matched by Katie Marks as his heart’s desire, Princess Mandarin. Two talented young performers caught the eye – Jenna Claridge, a very assured Spirit of the Ring, and Abigail Dawson, as So-Shy, a sparkling companion to the princess. Iain Campbell added to the magic as the Genie of the Lamp. Knockabout comedy by Karen Thomas and Steve Williams created mayhem and laughter as Yu-dun-Wong and Hu-dun-Pong, the inept police force of the Empress, played with imperial authority by Gail Alford. Well-selected musical numbers were performed with plenty of punch and enthusiasm by an able and smiling company under the baton of Daniel Lawrence, and the backing of his band of young musicians. Production, by John Kelland, never let up in pace and the staging and colourful costumes, all made by the company, were first class. An enjoyable evening of innocent fun, for all the family, which is what a pantomime should be. Reviewed by Frank Wooles Cast Abanazar Huw Williams Spirit of the Ring Jenna Claridge Aladdin Victoria Walters Wishee Washee Liam Daly Widow Twankey Phil Davies Yu-Dun-Wong Karen Thomas Hu-Dun-Pong Steve Williams The Empress Gail Alford Princess Mandarin Katie Marks So-shy Abigail Dawson Genie of the Lamp Iain Campbell Executioner Richard Jones Chorus Carla Gambarini, Conor Brewer, Joe Morris, Leon Stawicki, Eleanor Brewer, Megan Dodson, Manon Griffith, Alice Liney, Bethany Petersen, Bethan Thomas Production Team Director John Kelland Assistant Director/Producer Brenda Slaughter Musical Director Daniel Lawrence Choreographer Victoria Graham Stage Manager Wayne Brewer Scenic Design and Painting Rhys Stapleton Set Design and Construction Wayne Brewer, Rhys Stapleton Lighting & Sound Wayne Brewer, Owain Davies Properties Anne Morris Wardrobe Bob Petersen Makeup Zara Jones Business Manager Richard Jones Business Team Simon Jones, Helen Page Poster Design Rhys Stapleton Front of House Manager Tracy Richards Front of House Members and Friends of Hilltop Bar Manager Iain Campbell, Ray Claridge Box Office Brenda Slaughter
|
