This year's festivities are off to a fantastic start, courtesy of Regal Entertainments at St Helens Theatre Royal with the classic tale of Aladdin. From the minute you walk into the theatre you are greeted by the lovely front of house staff and there is a real buzz in the air with great excitement from everyone with programmes and flashing lights available in the foyer. Once again the pantomime exceeds expectations with a spectacular production directed by Chantelle Nolan. The cast just gel, there is a great chemistry between them and all the fun and happiness oozes from them and they genuinely appear to be having as much fun on stage as we are watching.
With catchphrases from Wishee Washee (the delightful Lewis Devine), Widow Twanky (the questionably beautiful, Richard Aucott) and Aladdin (the handsome Alex Aram) there is plenty for the youngsters in the audience to shout out to, actually it wasn't just the youngsters responding, I'm still hearing 'you say Wishee I say Washee, Hands off the balls and Ah so!' innuendo flying over the innocents' heads as a panto tradition, bringing knowing looks between the adults.
The costumes are absolutely wondrous, bright, colourful, glittery and in the case of Widow Twanky outrageous. There is delightful choreography performed superbly by a troupe of 8, two males and six females who are an essential part of panto and are engaging to see.
Abanazar (Liam Fox, Emmerdale's Dan Spencer) is the one to hiss and boo at as he wickedly tries to deceive Aladdin and claim the magical lamp in a bid to take over the world. Making his professional panto debut, Fox is most definitely up to the role, with a booming voice and commanding performance, I guarantee this won't be the last panto he will appear in as the villain!
Aram is also a 'newbie' to the Theatre Royal and as Aladdin he was in every way street urchin to Prince, and the duets with Princess Jasmine (the lovely Jess Smith) were a joy to listen to. Smith, a local lass, was very much at home performing and it is no surprise to learn she has appeared as lead singer in a couple of touring productions for several years.
There is a great song made up from lyrics of a number of other well known songs which works surprisingly well and also a funny sketch using misheard words from songs.
Wishee Washee works his little socks off, actually, a lot more in the laundry scenes! As a firm family favourite once again his energy and bubbly personality cannot fail to delight and his many crazy antics are divine by nature, Devine by name! Trying to keep unsuccessfully all in line is P C Shameless (better known as Stan from the tv series Shameless, Warren Donnelly, see what they did there?) His task is never ending and you almost feel sorry for him.
We have two genies this year although one, The Genie of the Mirror (Radio City presenter Leanne Campbell) appears by video projection which is very effective. The other is Genie of the Lamp (awesome Tim Lucas) who portrays an incredible genie and I loved his every appearance on stage which also engaged the audience with a dance and song.
Be prepared to be taken on an astonishing journey on a magical flying carpet with Aladdin with amazing reality with the use of 3D glasses which are issued to every member of the audience during the interval. Certainly an experience not to be missed.
Aladdin is a spectacular show, lights, sound and scenery are all too often forgotten about and that's mainly because of the flawless execution. Well done all concerned. A mention to the youngsters who received golden tickets in random programmes to appear on stage alongside Wishee Washee, you stole the show!
If there is one show to see that lifts the spirits and is enjoyable by young and old alike, get along to a performance, matinee available on certain days and continues until Sunday 14th January 2024.
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