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Review:Aladdin
Palace
Theatre,
Paignton
THE
age range of pantomime
punters packing
into Paignton's
Palace Theatre proved
the , greatest Christmas
show on earth is
still very much
alive and well.
From
toddlers to pensioners,
Aladdin has lost
none of its festive
appeal for the most
British of Yuletide
institutions.
And
this year's production
doesn't disappoint
with a cast who
genuinely appear
to enjoy bringing
delight to the masses.
Now
we all know Aladdin
gets the girl and
Abanazer gets his
comeuppance but
what show is complete
without suitable
audience participation.
Favourite
cries of "He's
behind you"
and "Oh no
he's not" rang
out loud and clear
as they did last
year and are sure
to do for evermore.
Held
together brilliantly
by Dale Summers.as
Widow Twankey and
Neil Booth as
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Abanazer,
Helen Randall also
led from the front
in the title role.
Able
support from David
Shortland as Wishee
Washee and cracking
vocals from Rebecca
Bennett as Princess
Jasmine helped prove
that pantomime isn't
a privilege confined
to larger professional
production groups.
Although
slightly lengthy
at 150 minutes,
the effort put in
by the costume team
more than made up
for it.
There
was a dazzling array
of outfits. Even
the seemingly irrelevant
roles of dizzy policemen
Ping (Colin Gilderthorp)
and Pong (Rae Gilderthorp)
were given a much
welcome splash of
colour.
More
powerful singing
from some characters
could be improved
as their live musical
accompaniment tended
to occasionally
drown them out.
But,
as far as seasonal
entertamiment goes,
Aladdin is certain
to top the bill
in Paignton and
can be assured a
very warm reception
until it closes
Saturday, January
8.
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