Penny Coles found herself whisked away from the York Theatre Royal into a world of panto madness when she went to see Aladdin and the Twankeys one evening…
Plucking a lad from the front seats and putting him on stage didn’t promise comic genius initially, but in the hands of the UK’s longest running pantomime dame it became pure comedy gold.
In this case the lad was a teenager with no outgoing bones in his body and both eyes firmly on the escape door as soon as he landed on stage. Clocked by dame Kaler, he was told to stay. The lad, clicking his heels in front of some 800 people, looked about as out of place as someone could ever be. It wasn’t until the he claimed his opportunity to upgrade his sideliner role that you realised why Kaler had done it. “I’m Aladdin” the lad said, right on cue following the chorus. The audience erupted – witnesses to his transformation, the conqueror of our fears and as Kaler said, recipient of the biggest hand of the night.
With 35 York pantos under his belt, writer-director Berwick Kaler has become well known for developing his cast’s talents. This year the panto saw the return of the lovable A J Powell, picked from the chorus line around eight years ago to a central role this year playing the Genie of the Bling. “Luverly” Yorkees couldn’t have been more enthusiastic when he appeared on stage and delivered his signature line.
Similarly, Canadian Al Braatz was promoted from a dancer last year to principal boy Aladdin this year. As camp as Christmas, his killer line delivered in nothing but a cardboard box, “has something happened to my Peek-a-boo?” wouldn’t have had as much weight without the innocence of a foreign tongue.
Pure chaos, bizarre happenings and slapstick ran amok. How it all hung together is a wonder, especially the second half, but by then the crowd was so warmed up the individual scenes were good enough to stand on their own.
Set in China, we were treated to a shiny, gaudy take on the oriental, with talented dancers, excellent choreography, set and costumes. Carpets actually flew, the annual panto water-fest came from a Chinese laundry, and there were more than a few nods (Gene Genie) to David Bowie’s resurgence last year.
Baddie Abanazer played by Jonathan Race appeared in a brilliant puff of green smoke asking: “You don’t like me do you?” which of course meant we all instantly did. Principal girl Suzy Cooper, played a fabulously dramatic yet incredibly likable Princess Peke-a-boo and Martin Barrass was utterly convincing and funny as Wisehopper.
Christmas may now be just a distant memory, but if you want to brighten up the last of the winter months, this comes strongly recommended! York Theatre Royal had a magical feel about it that only the panto can truly create.
I’ve got just two last pieces of advice: 1. Don’t sit on the front row! 2. Book your ticket fast!
The final show is on Saturday 1, February.