Aladdin (Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company)

Aladdin is a particularly popular pantomime this year and one of the classics, given a traditional and highly entertaining treatment by Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company. Managed to grab a few words with Director, Jo Gresswell and Choreographer, Sally Evans before the performance and it has obviously been a challenging time (as it has for many societies) with no certainty that this production would ever see an audience and their joy now that it has become reality was equally portrayed by an accomplished cast.

If you are looking for driving energy, you need look no further than Krystian Wharton as Wishee Washee, a performer of considerable class in his own right and leaving everything on stage (including some outstanding ventriloquism skills) to the considerable delight of young and old. Chris Psaras is everything a Panto Dame should be as Widow Twankey and builds some considerable rapport with both sons, a little too much pleasure perhaps in covering Wishee in all sorts of unpleasant 'gunge' (I am sure he regretted that backstage) something he wouldn't consider trying with the more sensible son, Aladdin played with thigh-slapping exuberance and energy by Rebecca Thorne.

Panto relies so much on having somebody to hiss and boo at and Steve Taylor is distinctly 'unlikeable' as Abanazar, my advice is keep your old lamp, his new ones are cheap, genie-less rubbish. Have to say that he is run a close second in characters you might not like by Joshua Hawkins as the Grand Visier, I think the power has gone to his head but, I have to say a great piece of character acting.

Policing is obviously not important in this particular area of Peking as Superintendent Nee (Liam Pinches) and Sergeant Nar (Matt Hickman) are to say the least 'incompetent', however I am sure they have actually been employed for comedy value and at that they excel.

You might be looking for an Emperor from the Far East but, you won't find one as Tom Ruff's Emperor Tipton is most definitely from the Black Country and a piece of comedy genius, if his wife the Empress Tiptonia, played in domineering style by Meg Luckins, is a generic example of wives from this locality, it's a scary prospect for many a would be husband. Completing the family is Princess Jasmine (love interest of Aladdin of course), played with style and a silky smooth vocal by Jess Skidmore.

What about those 'beings from another world', genie's from lamps and spirit's from rings, you might ask, well James Luckins is a commanding presence (and a commanding vocal I might add) as the Genie and Rachel Gresswell is strangely alluring as the Spirit (reminding me very much of Barbara Eden in 'I Dream of Jeannie', one for the more mature reader there, who can remember that far back!).

Add a supporting cast and dancers of all ages and you have a night of entertainment not to be missed at Brierley Hill Civic Hall which runs on specific dates until 29th January 2022, so grab some tickets now.

Book Here

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