Aladdin at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre

[dutchman]

Catherine Vonledebur reviews Aladdin at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry



Writer, director and Panto Dame Iain Lauchlan has brought the Far East to Coventry in a glittering Christmas show full of sparkle, wit, dancing Chinese dragons and flying carpets.

Aladdin is played by Morna Macpherson, Iain’s daughter – who started her career as full-size puppets Doodles and Izzles, in The Tweenies, co-created by her dad.

Our panto hero lives with his endearing brother Wishee Washee - Craig Hollingsworth - and fashion-forward single mum Widow Twankey in a Chinese laundry; but Aladdin sets his hopes high when he meets the alluring Princess Jasmine.

Iain’s Widow Twankey, “the Susan Boyle of boiling”, has a wardrobe full of fabulous Chinese-themed outfits ranging from a beautiful tiered Chinese lampshade to a Willow Pattern cup- and-saucer in exquisite oriental fabrics – teamed up with Doc Martens of every colour to match.

In the soapy Slosh Scene, Wishee is accidentally spun inside a giant washing machine – and shrinks; a member of the audience is also called up to help clean the Emperor of China’s smalls.

Evil magician Abanazar - Cardiff-born Sion Lloyd - is a glorious green-faced baddie with a fabulous singing voice, who persuades Aladdin to seek his fortune by helping him find a magic lantern.

Inside a spooky enchanted cave Aladdin discovers a soulful Spirit of the Ring - Joanne Sandi - and a very funky Genie of the Lamp – Marcquelle Ward. They are long-lost lovers reunited every 2,000 years, who also rap, boogie and lead the way in tuneful renditions of Treasure by Bruno Mars and Pharrell William’s Happy.

Aladdin flies across a twinkling night sky on a magic carpet to rescue the Princess from Abanazar in Egypt fighting a Chinese dragon along the way – created by Morna, who has also made special effects for films including Ridley Scott’s Prometheus.

William Finkenrath’s short-sighted forgetful Emperor of China, who finds it lonely at the top, is another great comic creation.

Iain has written a very funny version of The 12 Days of Christmas. Instead of five golden rings there are five toilet rolls which Twankey flings from orchestra pit to the upper floor balcony for Wishee to retrieve. It also involves giant water-pistols – beware if you’re near the front!

They’ve thrown away the corny joke book in favour of astute topical one-liners about George Osborne, ‘Plebs’ and Nigel Farage with lots of local references thrown in.

Many of Ian Westbrook’s sets are absolutely spectacular, particularly inside the Emperor’s palace and the stunning grand finale where it feels like you are inside a blue-and-white Willow pattern.

An amazing cast and children’s chorus give a faultless high-energy performance. Last year Iain’s Jack and the Beanstalk was a big hit and I have a feeling Aladdin could be even bigger.

This entertaining family panto does everything you could possibly ask for, and executes it brilliantly with ad-libs and spontaneous improvisation - it’s the best one I’ve ever seen…

Runs until January 10