Hello everyone and welcome!
I know this post has been a little time coming as I’ve not been to as many shows this year (as you can imagine with the world the way it is). But hopefully I will be able to attend and review more shows in the coming year.
Watching a pantomime at Christmas as a theatre-goer is my favourite thing to do and this year was no exception.
Photo By: Marc Brenner
A brief overview of the show:
A young Aladdin desperately wants to become a famous rock star.
He meets Jasmine the Emperor’s daughter, falls in love with her and resolves to find a way to become so rich that he can marry her. Meanwhile, our antagonist the evil ‘Fabra Cadabra’ believes that she deserves all the power in the world. Jasmine is then kidnapped. Hoping that the ‘power of rock’ will protect him, Aladdin goes on a quest with Genie and his friends to save Jasmine from Fabra Cadabra in the “Land of the Mummies”.
Now the review!
I have been in the audience of every Mercury Theatre pantomime since 2016 but for me, this has to be the best pantomime I have seen. So much fun, frolics and fantastic acting! This is not one to miss!
It has everything a great panto needs: sing along songs, dancing, comedy and so much laughter from start to finish.
James Hameed who plays Aladdin is a super star with a truly amazing singing voice.
There is great chemistry between Aladdin and Jasmine (Danielle Kassaraté), as with all the cast as a whole.
I am certain that the players had a blast performing the show and this really translated well to the audience.
It was so easy to be swept up in the performance.
Photo By: Marc Brenner
Once again the comedy duo that is Antony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Supervillie were on fire.
Not being on stage for two years has not stopped them at all! They had the whole audience in stitches.
I am so happy to see them both together again. They are an absolute joy to watch, making the night even more special! I personally can’t wait to see the duo again, maybe in next year’s panto? (Hint hint!)
There was a great use of light and colour throughout the whole show. Each character had their own unique colour and style, so even if with limited vision I was still able to make each character out.
Despite my limited vision, I could not miss Widow Twankey with her over the top yet fun costumes and hairstyles.
I also found each song in the show recognisable and very easy to sing along with.
Photo By: Marc Brenner
Accessibility
Even if, (like myself) you are someone with very limited vision, I think you will have a wonderful time!
There are some parts of the panto which rely upon visual gags but I think the show tries to make sure that you hardly miss anything, including jokes and the storyline.
I am not sure about a touch tour this year due to health and safety regulations but I did not contact the theatre to ask.
I would like to see more audio described performances. The show is running for a few months and I feel that one is just not enough.
As I said at the beginning of the review, I have seen so many pantomimes performed at The Mercury and this is the best I have ever seen!
Tickets are selling fast, so get yours soon from The Mercury Theatre’s website: here
Aladdin is running from 27th November until 16th January 2022.
Trust me when I say, go get your tickets now!
Until Next Time
The VI Critic
The VI Critic 