Local Panto Granted Wish of an Enjoyable
Family-Friendly Panto
Aladdin
Simonside Community Centre in Westerhope. Newcastle
Thursday 6th - Sunday 23rd December 2018
In his 3rd review of the 2018/19 Pantomime
season, Nova Radio North East’s Robert Wilson Baker visits Simonside Community
Centre in Newbiggin Hall to review Mendes Management’s production of ‘Aladdin’
A snowy winter’s night
in December is the stereotypical ingredient for a magical panto experience and as
this pantomime unfolded, the weather gods unleashed a thin layer of snow to
highlight the occasion. Inside, this was my first experience of a Mendes
Management Pantomime. After their success
of last year’s run at the NE6, they have transformed Simonside Community
Centre into a bespoke mini-theatre to perform their latest production
‘Aladdin’,
The plot of this
production stays quite close to the traditional Pantomime story. We first meet
Abanazar (Michael Geddes) who seeks a lamp to gain world domination. Armed with
the Slave of the Ring (Janine Leigh) and the knowledge of the only boy who can
help him retrieve it, they venture to Old Peking to meet our hero Aladdin (Luke
Maddison), his mother Widow Twankey (Steven Stobbs) and brother Wishee Washee
(Craig Richardson). The story takes place on the 18th birthday of
Princess Jade Blossom (Lucy Marie Curry), who is allowed to leave the palace
for the first and longs to find someone who will treat her normally. She is escorted
by 2 policemen (Janine Leigh and Jayne Mackenzie) under strict instruction to
not allow anyone to make eye contact with her or face punishment. However,
temptation leads Aladdin to look at the princess and they instantly fall in
love.
Following a police
chase and a full royal pardon, Aladdin is found by Abanazar and agrees to help
him find the lamp, leading to the typical cave entrapment and wish granting
scene from the Genie (Jayne Mackenzie) and her mini Genies (CM School of
Dance). The rest of the story follows a typical path, Aladdin becoming rich and
winning the princess’ affections, Abanazar gaining the lamp’s power
transporting everyone in to the depths of the desert but most importantly, a
happy ending (how it happens I won’t spoil).
This Panto does
everything that you’d expect a Panto to do: tell a magical story and deliver
value entertainment through music and comedy. Dale Meeks has written a well-done
script, allowing the actors to perform in the moment whilst still continually
advancing the plot. Something clever I quite liked which Meeks did was play
tongue and cheek with the production’s stature through a comedy sketch at the
top of Act 2, proving that you can have a ‘magic carpet’ regardless of theatre
size or budget.
The quality of casting
is well documented on stage. Luke Maddison steals the show as Aladdin, easily displaying
the lovable rouge with a cheeky smile persona whilst delivering top quality
vocals. Equally, Lucy Marie Curry delivers impressive vocal talents, showcasing
tight harmonies and good chemistry with Maddison.
Elsewhere Michael
Geddes provides a solidly assure and camp Abanazar, not too scary for younger
audiences but evil enough to be disliked. Janine Leigh and Jayne Mackenzie work
extra hard doubling as the two mystic characters but shine as the comedy
policeman duo with their patter and comic timing.
Craig Richardson is an
outstanding comic, who is bang on the money with his stage and comedic
presence. He also brings a sense of play to his performance which makes grown
men laugh, especially with his “whoppsies” in the slop scene and audience
rapport in the take-off scene. Equally, Steven Stobbs is a delightful as Widow
Twankey providing good vocals, rapport with the audience and physicality,
creating a likeable character.
The music was overall
well executed and performed well, with a wide variety of older music as well a
current hits from the Greatest Showman and Baby Shark (which I was happy when
it wasn’t performed in a community song setting!). Kudos must be given to
Maddison and Curry, who each pull off at least half a dozen numbers per show
with ease.
The production values,
despite being a small production, were outstanding. Whilst there was no set, The
LED star cloth backdrop and portals helped create the appropriate atmosphere
during scenes, aided by well mapped scenic projections. The costumes were
equally well designed and could rival any high budget show.
With tickets already on
sale from next year’s Pantomime Cinderella, in the new location of the North
Shields venue ‘The Exchange’, Mendez Management have provided a tradition
family Panto that caters for all the family without breaking the bank or
compromising on theatrical values.
Review: Robert Wilson
Baker
Tickets:
Aladdin
will run at the Simonside Community Centre in Westerhope.
Newcastle NE5 4LQ from the 6th - 23rd December 2018
Tickets
for Aladdin are available from the box office on 07766 335055
or https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mendesmanagement
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