The Stage

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp

Published Wednesday 5 January 2005 at 16:00 by Jane McKell

As always, David Lee in association with Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre have produced a strictly no celebrity show. Aladdin is cast with good old-fashioned professionals with high production values and the result is fun for all the family.

Topping the bill, busking king and actor Ben Langley is cute, clever and quirky as ever. His big-booted funny walk, ukulele balancing act and dustbin routine are a scream. However, Langley has a comic-rival this year in the buxom shape of Jodie Moore. This firecracker bursts in as Slave of the Ring and explodes on every entrance. Moore has an unconquerable rapport and a big singing voice to match her persona.

Andrew Fettes - a winner as Abanazer - wickedly thrives on much deserved panto-heckling. Newcomer Andrew Fane in the title role looks every hunky-inch the part but lacks edge, while the beautiful Annacoreta Alfonso lives up to her name as Princess Lotus Flower with a sassy pop voice. Unfortunately the love story falls by the Pekin wayside in this duo’s inexperienced hands. Peter Thorne, a totally traditional dame, dazzles in the laundry and classic Twelve Days of Christmas routine. The slow, giant Italian Genie is anathema to this critic but seems to amuse.

A long Act I ends with a winning combination of leaping fountain and sparkling dance routines by the Rita Proctor’s professionals and teen-steppers, joined by the Helen Laxton Juveniles topped by a triumphant Aladdin. The finale walkdown is equally magical and fabulously dressed, a memorable experience for first timers to the theatre, if a little long for several toddlers who left in the interval.