Aladdin Review: Everything you could wish for in a Panto
Posted on: 2017-12-14
Our rating:
The acting skills of the cast are complimented by some amazing special effects and scenery. From the large Kong model to the flying carpet all are truly amazing and add the bright and colourful sets, breath-taking pyrotechnics, stunning 3D carpets...
The show had everything from its startling start to its flamboyant finish, led by Joe Pasquale in the role of Aladdin’s brother Wishy Washy. His constant teasing and impish behaviour in the first half of the show cause other members of the cast to struggle delivering lines and bursting into fits of giggles which, let’s be honest, is how a good pantomime should be. Utter Choas! Both Hayley Tamaddon and Alexis Gerred (Aladdin) were upstaged by Pasquale in a role he is just perfect to play.
The other big-name headliner is former Wet Wet Wet lead singer Marti Pellow who plays the evil Abanazar. He is voice as you would expect is nothing short of amazing and he really does play a very good stone faced “bad guy” even at the point where Pasquale manages to induce to a Freudian slip of the tongue with a remark about short sleeved shirts!
Real credit though must go to the shows unsung hero. David Robbins in the role of Widow Twanky. Robbins models an incredible range of costumes across the performance, with each outfit more outrageous than the last. He also has the opportunity to project an excellent singing voice in a number of songs and really does deserve a lot of credit for his performance.
There were also a number of other strong supporting cast members including Kimberley Blake as Scheherazade and Rebecca Bernice-Amissah. Both of whom had excellent singing voices but due to the restrictions of the roles they played were not allowed the comical licence of some of the other cast members. The only poor performance was that of the voice of the genie (billed as himself). It was a rather over hammed and borderline offensive take on the Bristolian accent. Surely a more mysterious and genie like performance would have been more appropriate!
The acting skills of the cast are complimented by some amazing special effect and scenery. From the large Kong model to the flying carpet all are truly amazing and add the bright and colourful sets, breath-taking pyrotechnics and stunning 3D carpet ride and will believe you are in Egypt and Old Peking.
An absolute must for anyone wanting to feel the festive magic of the Pantomime in all it’s glory!
Aladdin is on at The Bristol Hippodrome until Sunday 7 January 2018. Tickets are available online here.
Article by:
A Bristolian born and bred. By day the Regional Manager for Advanced Imaging Systems Ltd. By night (and weekends) a keen follower of most sports especially rugby and football. Musical tastes vary and cover a wide range of genres from Punk to Motown and Swing to R&B - see my reviews! Also partial to a quiet spot of fishing followed obviously by a not so quiet pint.
