Aladdin

Report

Author: Roger D Buist

Written by company member Seonade Sparey, this new panto version moved from China to the Arabian town of Agrabah. As the show opened, the Genie, flew in on the Magic carpet from above the stage to begin the show and then, the stage area was invaded by “thousands of bairns” who formed the Chorus and had a great time doing so! Widow Twankey, outrageously dressed and with a broad Dundee accent, entered and soon had the audience in fits of laughter. Stuart Young was in his element in this role and quipped ad libs throughout with the audience. Sadly for her, the Sultan (a fine Shaun Kelly) had debt collectors – Ali and Baba – after her and caused her a lot of trouble, but Claire Rioch and Gavin White had a great comical time chasing and tormenting her, particularly in the wash house scene where everything went haywire! It was love at first sight for her son, Aladdin, when he first meets the Princess Jaz and, making a striking principal boy, Fiona McRobbie, fell in love with his winsome Princess, Chloe Gordon. Both fitted these roles to absolute perfection and made a handsome young couple. Trying to get her evil way was nasty Azakabana (Donna Bell), the evil villainess, spitting her venom, much to the annoyance of everyone in the audience! Pretending to be Twankey’s long-lost “sister”, she had wicked plans for Aladdin to help her find the Lamp, but the Genie was always around to frustrate here evil doings. Once inside the cave, the Genie, brilliantly played by Raymond Wood, came to the rescue and the first half of the show ended in a huge Broadway-style “dream” song number led by him against the background of a chorus in glittering costumes. Having to rescue the princess, now imprisoned in the strange town of Dundee (!), we were treated to a wonderful Magic Carpet journey through various European countries to end up in Dundee’s snow covered City Square, where it all ended up happily in true pantomime tradition. This new panto version was like a breath of fresh air – well done.