With an on stage time of just fourteen minutes, Pamela Anderson is certainly an expensive bauble to add to The Empire’s Christmas tree, so it is good to report that this First Family production of Aladdin is such a success. With a set and costumes designed by Terry Parsons that glitter at every twirl, Ian Talbot’s direction makes sure that the real substance of what lies beneath comes across in some slick performances.
Marc Mulcahey and Dani Rayner as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine are far from overshadowed by their more experienced colleagues and provide the real glamour and some top-notch vocals, but it is stalwarts Les Dennis as Wishee Washee and Mark Moraghan as an Abanazar nasty enough to receive the requisite boos in abundance, who are the real engine that drives the show. For her part, Anderson genuinely gets into the Christmas spirit and is clearly not adverse to a little self-deprecation as the “most powerful and downloaded Genie of all time”.
Then there’s Sean Kearns as a larger than life Twankey, in an array of costumes ranging from washing baskets to boxes of noodles, and Conleth Kane as fall guy Major Pong, providing the silliness that every panto needs.
There are some glitches. Occasionally the live orchestra threatens to drown out the actors and there are one or two issues with microphones stalling, but overall wonderful effects, song and dance routines that are truly outstanding and enthusiasm that does credit to all concerned ensures Aladdin provides more than its fair share of magic.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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