Following last Christmas’ well-received production of Cinderella, collaborating once again with New World Productions, the intimate Harlow Playhouse delivers an Aladdin to tickle all ages.
What this production lacks in its set, it more than makes up for in entertainment value. Encapsulated in their spine-tingling rendition of Breaking Free, Aaron Sidwell (formerly Stephen Beale in EastEnders) brings a boyish charm as Aladdin, alongside Holly Matthews’ Princess Jasmine, making for the picture-perfect couple.
Blue-clad Jimmy Burton-Iles enthusiastically adopts the whirlwind demeanour of Disney’s Robin Williams’ Genie, but Chris Stanton lacks that villainous streak often associated with Abanazar.
Exceeding all expectations, the witty and sarcastic double act of Paul Leno’s brassy Widow Twankey and Tom Swift’s laugh-a-minute Wishee Washee, rule the roost. Thriving on the tongue-in-cheek, Essex-themed puns, the jovial pair’s ad-libbing is superb and their quick-fire one-liners warrant a stand-up slot on Michael McIntyre.
Director Andrew Lynford is wise to utilise prankster Wishee to maximum effect. Swift’s rapport with the audience owes a lot to his boundless enthusiasm and flirty facial expressions. If you’re as lucky as Jane in the front row, you’ll be the recipient of Wishee’s love and affection in a madcap interpretation of the Twelve Days of Christmas, involving everything from toilet rolls to nappies and baggy bras.
The Playhouse’s adaptation therefore proves that the only way really is Essex.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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