"Aladdin" by NUH Pantomime Society.
This is the first show that I've seen by NUH Pantomime Society, and I was extremely fortunate to have been offered a ticket as Sunday afternoon's first performance was sold out. Any theatre group will be pleased for that announcement, but doubly so for NUH pantomimes because all the money they raise from their shows goes back into funding next year's show as well as allowing them to donate part of the money to projects to enhance the patient experience across the NUH Trust in Nottingham.
"Aladdin" sticks to the traditional tale, rather than the Disney film version, which means that we get that special panto feel with a range of songs from various decades and age ranges. From S Club 7 to The Monkees, there's something for everyone. This script was written by Barbara Eastham and included some well-worn jokes as well as some nice in house medical quips. I myself intend to b positive throughout this review!
The story starts in the Peking Market Place where we meet Wishy Washy and some of the townsfolk. It never ceases to surprise me that these actors, all of which in the NUH Pantomime Society, have really good voices and Ben Tyrrell, who plays Wishy Washy, gets to highlight his vocals from the start.
His character drives the start of the story, allowing him to introduce us to his family, including his brother, Aladdin, played by Beth Eastham and their Mother, Widow Twanky, played by Angie Springhall; who I am sure I've seen somewhere before but can't put my finger on where and when.
Beth is a delightful Aladdin and Angie just made me smile every time she came on stage. And I am so pleased that she kept the local brogue for Twanky.
Aladdin is, of course madly in love with Princess Lotus Blossom, played by Richeldis Cope, but as we all know, the course of true love never did runneth smoothly, and trying his best to put the mockers on the relationship, as well as get all the riches in Peking is the evil Abanazar. Gareth Howell plays the evil one with one of the best pantomime baddie laughs I've heard in a long time "Mwah ha ha ha ha" rang around the theatre getting the kids, and many of the adults, booing and hissing and really buying in to the role. Gareth also has one of the best vocal projection of the cast.
Martin Orrell plays the Slave Of The Ring with some cheeky dance moves and the Genie Of The Lamp is played by Theresa McDonnell, who has a lovely laid back attitude about the character.
The two police officers, Constable Ping and Sergeant Pong, are a wonderful comedy duo. Played by Evie Alliott and John Crookes respectively, they arrive in a police car which reminded me of a Flintstone style police car, straight away getting laughs from the audience. The laughs ramped up as soon as John got out the car with a display of dancing that was very special, to say the least.
Colin Mudd played The Emperor who really came into his own in the second act with his audience interaction, showing a brilliant display of ad-libbing and fourth wall breaking. Very entertaining!
The Apprentice, who even got her own play on music - I won't need to explain what piece that was but will be easily recognisable, if you can't guess from her character part, is played by Debbie Croves.
Some of the smaller characters are really worth looking out for and there are some nice light moments from them. One of which being Mr Wu, played by Tony Howson, who also has a rockier role later on in the show with Tom Shepherd. The puppeteers involved in the show were Barbara Eastham and Sophie Dixon-Wright.
Harry Alcock as the French Maid, Mai Tai was a wonderfully comic addition to the script with his "Allo Allo" style accent and full French Maid's outfit and heels.
The chorus/ensemble consisted of Debbie Croves, Andie Gooding, Helen Lester, Emma Reid, Alison Towner, Andrea West, Sophie West and Angelina White.
Directed by Gareth Howell with Assistant Director Kat Crookes. Technical Director was Jonathan Pykett, and Steve Eastham was the Producer.
Musical Director was Rowena Wood. Normally the MD plays keyboards but Rowena is the drummer in this combo, which consisted of Christine Cripps (Oboe), Anita French (Clarinet), Michael Johnson (Guitar), Sanj Karat (Bass), Sam Zveges (Trumpet) and Catherine Williams (Piano).
Choreographing this show was Kat Crookes and Alison Towner, and with quite a large cast, they did a great job, especially the Kung Fu Fighting section which was great fun.
There were some brilliant costumes for all the characters, not least Widow Twanky and Mai Tai, so a large pat on the back for the wardrobe department of Elizabeth Paling and Suzy Thornton.
This is the NUH Pantomime Society's first show at the Squire Performing Arts Centre, which introduced many of their followers who have been attending the NUH pantomimes for quite a few years to this gorgeous venue.
I'm not sure if it's because of this being their debut here, or the size of the scenery, which by the way was superb, but the scene changes did take a little longer than I anticipated, allowing the audience to chatter away which, with some, seeped into when the next scene started. I have an idea it's just because of the size of the scene changes, plus I went on the opening performance. That though is the only thing I could comment on that may need looking into to tighten up the production.
These actors only get to perform together for one week per year, but the chemistry between the cast is fantastic to watch, and they make a show like this great fun to watch. And they are raising money for some excellent projects that are raised by the NUH and deserve all the support an audience can give them. I certainly left the building with a big smile on my face, but they do say that laughter is the best medicine, and these medical folk certainly provide the best medicine.
"Aladdin" is at the Squire Performing Arts Centre, near the Girls High School in Nottingham until Saturday 20 January.
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