"Aladdin" by Flying High Expressive Arts CIC.

Bonington Theatre, Arnold.

This year theatrically has been an incredible year from a reviewer's point of view. This will be my last show of 2025 to review and my 165^th review of the year, so I must thank everyone who has asked this lad in to review their shows.

This show has recently returned from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where it won the award for the "Best Young Cast". Based on the original story from The Arabian Nights, this one-hour long show includes five original songs and has been written and directed by Carrie Bird.

The story is set against a wonderful backdrop of an Egyptian village scene, straight away setting you right in the heart of the story and at the market place where we meet Aladdin and his friends

Aladdin, the handsome street urchin and hero of the story is played by Finlay Foote. A really confident leading man and, like every other young person on that stage, a fine singer.

The Genie is played by Harrison Bird, and what an energetic young man he is; bringing a smile to your face every time he appears on stage.

Amelia James plays The Spirit of The Ring, and once more, a very energetic, as well as athletic performer Amelia is.

Nasira the Nurse is played by Lily Smith.

Lana, the Sultana's companion, is played by Macey Shepperson.

Princess Yasmin, a very modern Princess, is played by Poppy Ogburn.

Princess Samara, Yasmin's sister and a martial arts addict, is played by Ellie Pickering.

Yusef the Vizier, who is trying to marry off his son to Princess Yasmin, is played by Daniel Holdstock.

 Amir, Yusef's son is played by Ash Byrne.

Jack Bridgmount plays Bashir, the Magician, who tells the family that he is Aladdin's Uncle, provides a character filled performance. 

The Sultan Raheem is played by Danny Mitchell and The Sultana, his attitude filled wife, is played by Ella Flewitt. They say opposites attract which may explain why the Sultan and Sultana were attracted. The Sultan holds himself with regality throughout, and both parts acted fabulously by both.

Aladdin's Mother is played by Liv Ali

Mrs Rachid is played by Ophelia Johnson, and doubles up her roles as the Narrator and Market Owner.

Tim Burns, Willow Evans and Oscar Straw play Kareem, Farah and Jamal, Aladdin's friends.

One thing that struck me about this cast, which is an ensemble cast, even though Aladdin is the main character, is the joy on these young people's faces as they perform, and how easily they fall into character. The songs are all ensemble created with some of them giving solo lines, especially the song about the Princess being traced via France, Great Britain, Australia and Egypt - and there's some nice accents in there as well.

Directed by Carrie Bird, assisted by Sophie Hatton.           .

Costumes  and the backdrop are by Aaron Belcher. The costumes add to the whole feel and atmosphere of the show.

Sound Designer is Jack Quarton-Manuel, who also wrote the infuriatingly catchy songs that are performed by this marvellous cast.

Lighting Designer is Peter Hodgkinson.

It comes as no surprise that this cast won the "Best Young Cast" award this year in Edinburgh. I missed last year's Christmas Show that Flying High did, so there was no way that I was going to miss out on seeing this award winning show.

"Aladdin" is at Bonington Theatre until Tuesday 23 December, 2pm and 5pm.