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Aladdin at the Old Vic, a CurtainUp London review CurtainUp
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A CurtainUp London London Review
Aladdin



Do not give way to fear. Believe in love. Believe in laughter and true love will appear.
---- Aladdin
Aladdin
Roger Allam as Abbanazar
(Photo: Manuel Harlan)
This is the big one! The pantomime with a knight of the classical theatre playing Widow Twankey. For the second season the Old Vic, under the artistic direction of Kevin Spacey, delivers the pantomime classic Aladdin. In fact the star of this pantomime for me was not so much Ian McKellen's dame, who seems rather thin and less buxom than is traditional, but Roger Allam's wonderful villain Abbanazar. I shall never forget the series of evil, echoing laughs so extreme which have him ultimately clutching at the stage pillars and descending into a fit of coughing. He is very, very funny. His full fruity over the top Abbanazar is totally gorgeous.

The show is the most spectacular pantomime that London has to offer with brilliant sets, extravagant costumes and choreography to die for. I was gob smacked by the entrances of the Genie of the Lamp (Tee Jaye), yellow silk falls from his waist as he ascends in a puff of smoke making him look as ethereal as Scotch mist. The cave of jewels is equally spectacular hung with dark shards of glittering silks with tiny hanging lights and is quite magical. Aladdin's flying carpet raises and seemingly flies off high above the stage. It is very well done. The dance of the Chinese fans has the backdrop of giant blue and white Chinese ginger jars. There are several dance routines worthy of the best of London musicals and Ian McKellen joins in for the dance of the jewels. He treats his fans to the full Dietrich drag although his singing voice is more sexy rasp than melodic. In the second Act his costumes get more and more extravagant and memorable as the designers have had a field day. Hanky (Matt Wolfenden) and Panky (Andrew Spillet) provide the acrobatic and comic interest as they flip in and out of police chases after the dashing Aladdin (Neil McDermott). Frances Barber tackles Dim Sum for the first time and presents a good humoured little chap in a tweed suit. Both Aladdin and the Princess (Kate Gillespie) look ravishing and have truly lovely singing voices. In an interesting update of the principal boy who used to be an attractive tall girl playing the prince, this princess spends much of the pantomime in a short coat and long boots.

The humour is a tad adult for my taste but let's hope the children don't understand the full implications of all that smut. The Old Vic's Aladdin is a thoroughly extravagant, sumptuous and enjoyable night out in the theatre for adults looking to recapture their youth.

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ALADDIN
Written by Bille Brown
Directed by Sean Mathias
Original Score by Gareth Valentine

Starring: Roger Allam, Ian McKellen, Frances Barber
With: Neil McDermott, Matthew Wolfenden, Andrew Spillett, Kate Gillespie, Paul Grunert, Tee Jaye, Marina Abdeen, Madalena Alberto, Gary Amers, Alistair David, Steve Fortune, Emma Harris, Victoria Hinde, Stuart Neal, Zak Nemorin, Daniel Redmond, Leah Sheldrick
Design: John Napier
Lighting: David Hersey
Sound: Fergus O'Hare
Choreography: Wayne McGregor
Costumes: Mark Bouman
Music direction: Kevin Amos
Orchestrations: Chris Walker
Running time: Two hours twenty minutes with one interval
Box Office: 0870 060 1811
Booking until 22nd January 2006
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 16th December 2005 performance at the Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 (Tube: Waterloo)
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©Copyright 2005, Elyse Sommer.
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