COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

The PR Productions pantomime runs until Christmas Eve



Having put pantomime firmly back at the Civic Hall in Bedworth last Christmas, PR Productions had set the bar incredibly high for its show this year. But the thing is, no one puts more pressure on panto perfection that the company itself and, in Aladdin, it delivered a pantomime most other companies would have to use at least one genie wish to get anywhere near staging.

In doing so, the company pulled off a scene that left me and the rest of the audience stunned. Non spoiler alert, it would be wrong of me to reveal what it is, but not only is it unbelievable - it is also something that you'd simply not expect - but then that's the magic of this company.

That's not to say the other scenes weren't good. The phone call routine in Twankey's laundry between Widow Twankey (Paul Gibson) and one of her sons, Wishee Washee (Guy Spreadborough), was timed to utter perfection - and funny too. The laundry also hosted some wonderful 'machinery' - again brought to brilliant life by the pair.

This is not the Aladdin as the original story or even the Disney version would know it, it has been given a PR twist but still contains all the elements you'd expect - the hero Aladdin, played wonderfully (and bravely) by Rhia Barrett. There is, of course, a genie - but in this production we are treated to not just one, but two.

Using PR's deft use of eye-catching technology, there was the genie of the ring, played by BBC star Mina Anwar and live, and in the dazzling flesh, the genie of the lamp, played Craig Garner, who brought a debonair air of class to the role. Of course, there was the ultimate baddie, Abanaza, played by Rob Hiatt.

His powerful presence as the malevolent Abanaza drew boos from the audience before he had even uttered his first word and continued to do so throughout the show. Tom Darby proved to be a sneaky Grand Vizir, counter balanced by the Empress of Won-Po, played by the seasoned performer Julie Bromage.

Her daughter, Princess Saffron was played by Eleanor Charman who has an incredible voice and her hand-maiden So-Shy was played with great comic timing by Esther Barnett.

Guy Spreadborough as Wishee Washee won the hearts of the crowds but it was Paul Gibson, who had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand as Widow Twankey. Playing a dame is not just about huge wigs and eye-catching costumes (of which he had by the wardrobe full), it is an artform and Gibson is a master at all.

You can't forget the dancers or the ensemble, who are as an important part of this production as the main cast itself. That goes the same for the choreography and stage setting - including the phenomenal use of digital scenes (trust me, they are amazing as you are transported from a tomb in Egypt to the laundry in literally just the touch of a button.

At the heart of all PR Productions' pantomimes is a cracking script, penned by Paul Gibson and Rob Hiatt, with some belly laugh gags and one-liners as well as a brilliant original score, take a bow Andy Mackereth.

You can see why this show is selling out fast, so if I were granted three wishes, one would be for you all to have the chance to get tickets because, as pantos go, this is genie-ous.

*Tickets for the show, which runs until Christmas Eve, can be booked online here

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/went-see-aladdin-bedworths-civic-33058797