We were lucky enough to see the preview evening of this year’s pantomime at the Blackpool Grand Theatre on Friday evening. It is “Aladdin” and we had such a good time that we would urge every to book up and go along and see it. It runs from now until 2nd January so there are lots of opportunities to get a family group together. In fact, even if you don’t have any children to take, It’s still a very entertaining show to go and see with lots of “look behind you”s and “oh no you won’t”s for all to enjoy...!
The title role this year is played by Amy Thompson, who previously played the part of Jenny Nelson in Emmerdale is now appearing in Channel 5’s Milkshake children’s programme and is - we thought - a welcome return to the original pantomime tradition of having a girl play the principal boy.
His love interest is Princess Jasmine played delightfully by Rebecca Marks who is kept hidden away by her father the Emperor, played by James Farrar and his Chinese Policeman sidekick, played by Neil Rowland.
The baddie of the piece is Abanazar played by Alex Ferns who many people will remember for Eastenders where he played the nasty role of Trevor Morgan.
Pantomime glamour is provided by Douglas Mounce – veteran of stage and screen - as Widow Twanky and X-Factor’s Justin Vanderhyde who plays a hunky Slave of the Ring.
There are some wonderful songs in the show with something for everybody ranging from recent “Glee” hit “Don’t Stop Believing” (very apt for pantomime), Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” ( a great solo number for Justin Vanderhyde) and Eliza Doolittle’s “Pack Up” among others.
As is often case, the real shining lights of the show are the child chorus parts – provided by children from the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre - who feature throughout in various costumes and guises, as do the senior dancers Shannon Collinge, Laurie Fearon, Natasha Fox and Anna Studholm.
There are also some terrific dance moves from the Genie of the Lamp played by Daniel Baker as well as a well staged ballet scene at the end of the first half, all choreographed by Katie Hill, herself a Blackpool lass and former student of Barbara Jackson and of Phil Winstone’s Theatreworks.
As usual, much of the humour is provided by regular pantomime comic Steve Royle – now in his 8th pantomime at the Grand - who plays Wishee Washee, cracks most of the jokes and entertains with his impressive juggling antics and amazing ad libbing.
The music is provided by a wonderful live band led by Richard Weedon and the scenery and lighting and sound is really superb.
If you are a regular pantomime goer, you’ll certainly find this to be up with the best and if you haven’t been for a while – or, indeed, ever - then the Blackpool Grand Theatre’s current production of Aladdin would make a very good starting point.
For show times and tickets, call the box office on 01253 290190 or visit the website at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.
You can hear our audio review at various times throughout the day on easy listening station Wireless Radio at www.wirelessradio.biz
