Aladdin review Dec 2007

The Space Odyssey 2001 overture swept us on a magic carpet of sound far from the Fens to imperial China, where the lively marketplace population was already Dancing in the Streets.
A splendid opening chorus – principals in colourful court costumes, lively dancers swirling and winding through them all, a glittering authentic Chinese dragon, jewelled head aloft.
We were soon back to basics with outrageous Widow Twanky. Kevin Shippey was in mischevious form, pouncing on adults, using his local knowledge to the full – corny jokes and all.
Young link-man Robert Williams’ Wishy Washy gained momentum and “got by with a little help from his friends”, in duet with Vicky Turner playing handmaiden Ting Ming, this amateur company certainly fosters young talent.
Boos came thick and fast at scary Karl Brittin playing fire-throwing Wizard Abanaza. Son Liam showed excellent timing as his cheeky henchman Won Tun.
Unique in the area so far this season is a feisty thigh-slapping principal boy Laura-Jayne Shippey and with haughty Princess Jasmini (Jess Bates) were both in fine voice. The strong vocals from every one of the principals in this show did not warrant the high sound levels, often near toleration limit.
Clever lighting evoked Aladdin’s cave, with skeletons in a UV ballet sequence before Genie of the Ring, pert Lisa-Marie Williams sent Aladdin flying high on her magic carpet on Phil Griggs’ excellent stage set.

After many adventures during this three-hour production, including a charming ballet duet by Brandon Loveless and Elly Page, the magic lamp was finally retrieved. Aladdin triumphed, and even Hannah Boasts’ acidic Empress, Ruler of the Mighty Ruler, relented before the colourful finale of this Chinese feast of high-decibel fun.

By Ann Johnson

The full article contains 306 words and appears in Peterborough Evening Telegraph newspaper