This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
Aladdin
Lyric Hammersmith
London W6
4/5
TAKING my four-year-old to this contemporary reworking of the old panto standard Aladdin proved a treat for father and son.
This version’s set in the mythical kingdom of Fulhammerboosh, where moody and headstrong Princess Jasmine (Allyson Ava-Brown) turns down marriage to Prince Lumpyface of Chelsington, only to fall for local chav Aladdin (Karl Queensborough).
In the romp that follows, comedian Vikki Stone as Abanazer and James Doherty as Widow Twankey steal the show, with the latter getting all the best — sauciest — gags.
Stone was so effective she scared the living daylights out of my offspring while Malinda Parris, the genie/enslaved gospel diva who ends up with Dale Rapley’s Emperor, also catches the eye.
Other highlights are the imaginative costumes and sets.
There are brilliant painted backdrops and the flying carpet scene, where Ava-Brown and Queensborough (pictured) soar out beyond the proscenium, is breathtaking.
As you’d expect there’s plenty of audience participation, with the cast venturing out into the stalls or popping up in the circle and there’s a big singalong at the end.
While some of the humour falls a bit flat the slapstick action — with Arthur McBain’s Wishy Washy at the centre of it — hits the spots and keeps things rattling along.
But the score, mainly reworkings of some tired pop standards, got a little too cheesy for my jaded old ear.
Nevertheless, this is a fun updating of Aladdin that’ll keep adults and teens entertained for a couple of hours too.
Runs until January 7, box office: lyric.co.uk
Review by James Tweedie
We need your support to keep running. If you like what you read please donate by clicking here
