Magical fun at the Concordia
IT was a curtain fall rather than a curtain call that caught the attention, when the Concordia Theatre Pantomime Company staged its first production of Aladdin And His Wonderful Lamp last week, writes Tony Parratt.
But it also demonstrated to the first night audience, just what a professional outfit this is. It occurred when most of the comic characters were in Widow Twankey’s Takeaway and were demonstrating by song, what was on the menu.
But as the characters, led by the redoubtable widow and her son Wishee Washee let rip, a wild foot from one of the cast somehow meant that the backing curtain came tumbling down; but if anything, the ‘accident’ was carried off with such aplomb that it added to the general hilarity the evening had already produced, as the scene shifters in the background carried on with their tasks regardless.
Even before the show started, the sparkling blue lights twinkling around the walls gave it a magical feel and it was enhanced even further by the entrance of Scheherezade (Keeley Mays), who set the scene perfectly as the storyteller.
As impressive as ever, Keeley’s presence and lovely singing gave the show an instant sparkle and I particularly enjoyed her belting version of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ during the Cave of Wonders act.
But let’s face it, most kids and us older ones, love panto for farce and fun and this came in spadefuls with a bunch of crazy characters perfect for panto land.
Larger than life Phil Bevington was a perfect dame as Widow Twankey, who had the audience eating out of his hand as soon as he appeared. And he had the perfect comic pairing with his son Wishee Washee, played by Craig Martin, a man with funny bones in every fibre of his body. Emily Jones as his love interest So Shy also added to the laughs, while proving what a fine singing voice she has too.
Also adding to the fun factor were father and son duo Will and Darran Shorthose, who played bumbling coppers Pc Wu and Chew respectively and raced around in ever decreasing circles.
Of course you have to have a baddie in any show of this genre and Tim Clay as evil Abanazar certainly emitted enough boos and hisses from the crowd to prove how effective he was, while Sophie Hayward as the Spirit of the Ring, brought just the right touch of authority, yet obedience to her role.
Tom Bell in the title role, showed what a fine all rounder he is, while Ellie Harvey as his love interest Princess Balroubadour complemented him perfectly.
Helen Shorthose as the Empress of all China provided great gravitas, while Ben Burgess as the Genie of the Lamp, had a huge presence when he magically appeared. He also displayed some great dancing skills, as well as having top class vocal skills.
The scenery throughout was top notch, and one particularly outstanding moment was, when Aladdin flew over large sections of the auditorium on a magic carpet – quite amazing! Also the addition of a team of youngsters gave the lively dancing and several other scenes a nice family feel.
Overall another winner and one worth catching, if you can grab a ticket for this treat that runs until February 6.