Aladdin
It has been a very long time since I have been to a Panto. I remember I didn’t like it much, so it was with some relief that Aladdin is described by the West Yorkshire Playhouse as the perfect antidote to Panto. I took with me some expert advice in the shape of my 5 year old; a little hesitantly I might add as she’s not been to the theatre much before and children have a terrible habit of being honest. So we sat together in anticipation, speculating over the school children’s work which surrounded the set and hoped we’d have a good time.
The story of Aladdin is told simply, only in this version he is allowed as many wishes as he likes. Just as well, as our hero is none-to-bright yet has a good heart; one that is good enough to change one pleasure-seeking, self-centered princess into a real person. There is magic a-plenty. Whilst my 5 year old waxes lyrical about coins appearing from Aladdin’s ears, sparkling umbrellas and turrets made of pans and fairy lights, I am captivated by the music. Written by Ivan Stott I find myself drifting away listening to the melodic songs and tapping away to the up-tempo moments. I really enjoy the selection of instruments – an accordion, saxophone, guitar and mandolin. The music is interwoven into the performance ensuring that all ages are kept entertained.
Off centre stage my eye is drawn to Simon Kerrigan’s performance from good to evil; his forceful kinetic energy rivals that of special effects. I wonder thoughtfully if it is possible to continue with such energy until the end of the season. The baddie kept me and my daughter entertained, his crazy movements and Jazz song and dance routine had us giggling. When the evil ‘Uncle’ lowers Aladdin into the cave this is theatre at its best. The simple props, great imagination and puppetry make great effect reminiscent of child’s play. This, combined with my daughter’s fast beating heart bring me back to the place where as a child my imagination was as powerful.
Throughout Aladdin I sneak peaks over to my daughter’s face. She has an air of concentration I wonder if she’d have managed last year. Perhaps for some 4 year olds this will be a stretch too far. However at 5 my daughter has an awestruck glaze, and glancing over the audience there are plenty of others like it. The over 5’s being as captivated as the younger children. What the audience needs is plenty of children. This is most definitely a family performance, one where it will not matter too much if your child displays momentary over excitement, gasps or shrieks. In fact I think it is fair to say director Gail McIntyre would probably join in! The cast is jolly, energetic and expert enough to deal with some Pantoesque audience participation, without a doubt, they would revel in it!
In a YouTube interview McIntyre speaks excitedly about the playfulness of her cast that alongside Mike Kenny’s writing demonstrates a real understanding of the joy and benefits of play. The next morning I tentatively ask my daughter about the play to gauge the longevity of her excitement. She goes into lengthy explanations of the baddie being scary and the Princess being, well Princessy. When I sneak up on her a little later she is busy rubbing a camping kettle stuffed with the doll fairy Genie, and I think those involved in Aladdin would feel a sense of ‘job done’.