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Aladdin and his Magic Lamp

Published Thursday 8 January 2009 at 11:45 by Kevin Berry

Here come the dancing girls and now an elephant plods into view. What a magnificent creature, everyone agrees. Is she the first ever pantomime elephant? Perhaps she will start a trend.

This PMA production of Aladdin, already seen at Cannock and at Oswaldtwistle, is a visual and comic treat. Familiar songs are made part of the narrative and the cast contains many fine singers. They include ex-Strangler Paul Roberts and Hayley Ellis, who plays the princess.

Sophie Adams, as Aladdin, is a pantomime first-timer, which is difficult to believe. As is Griff Jameson, who plays an animated Genie and Sergeant Pong. What a discovery he is - an exciting mix of talent and purposeful enthusiasm, a born panto player.

There are many good sketches to enjoy, both traditional and new, and it is a real pleasure to experience a new tongue twister routine.

The comedy is wild and exuberant and is played very much in the freewheeling, irreverent manner of a Marx Brothers romp. As a consequence, the story line does occasionally puzzle, but that does not affect enjoyment.

The running time is rather long, it must be said. Although choosing something to cut from this feast of fun would be a mighty difficult task.

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