Review! Aladdin at Orchard West Theatre
“A feel-good panto that truly grants three wishes: laughs, music and magic.”
“A feel-good panto that truly grants three wishes: laughs, music and magic.”
Review!
Aladdin at Orchard West Theatre
“A feel-good panto that truly grants three wishes: laughs, music and magic.”
We went to another panto… oh yes we did! This time it was Aladdin at Orchard West Theatre, boasting a stellar cast including newly recruited Antony Costa.
This retelling follows the villainous Sven Gali (bless you!) as he schemes to get his hands on the magic lamp, tricking Aladdin into retrieving it for him. What follows is a whirlwind of hilarious chaos and enchanting magic.
The true joy of pantomime lies in its glorious unpredictability, its warmth and its sense of fun—and Aladdin delivers all of this in abundance. We had the added delight of watching alongside the Theatre Flyer Juniors, who laughed, jumped, and eagerly pondered questions like, “Will Luscious LouLou call?” and “Was that supposed to happen?” Of course, one of the great pleasures of panto is that no one ever quite knows the answer. Whether moments are scripted or the cast are genuinely cracking up on stage, it’s all part of the magic.
The musical arrangements were a particular highlight, with many well-known songs cleverly reworked with lyrical changes to suit the story.
The set design also shone, especially during a magical moment in the second act that held both children and adults in collective awe.
The cast were a joy to watch throughout. Cleve September impressed with his strong vocals and his portrayal of Aladdin as an endearing cheeky chappy. The Juniors’ standout favourite was Ricky Jay as Frankie Panky, whose comedic timing landed every time. Ruby Mann dazzled as Jasmine, combining powerful vocals with infectious energy—I sincerely hope this won’t be the last time I see her on stage. Jason Marc Williams was a style icon and utterly memorable, making the most of every entrance and every joke.
A special mention must go to Antony Costa, star of stage and boyband fame, who stepped into his role with just a day of rehearsal. Hilarious, talented and thoroughly professional, he slipped seamlessly into the cast and clearly became part of the panto family.
A real highlight for me was his short rendition of One Love. Hearing such a familiar song brought a rush of nostalgia, and my heart was very happy. It was a lovely moment that clearly delighted the audience too.
Overall, this is a pantomime bursting with heart and hilarity, and I wholeheartedly recommend booking a ticket so you can join in the fun too.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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