REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Aladdin
Chelmsford Theatre
Fairfield Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1JG
Friday 28 November 25 – Sunday 4 January 26
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Aladdin
Chelmsford Theatre
Fairfield Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1JG
Friday 28 November 25 – Sunday 4 January 26
A most entertaining production!
What a wonderful way to spend the day when it is cold and wet outside, and you can enjoy a brilliant Panto in the Chelmsford Theatre. I say a Panto but some of it was more like musical theatre with incredible production numbers.
The story was the usual one, wicked Abanazar (Bob Harmes) tricks Aladdin into getting him a lamp so the genie could grant him three wishes. However, the genie in this case was a switched on performance by Gabrielle Davina Smith as she belted out One Night Only from Dream Girls. However, she was not alone with her highly energised performance as Princess Jasmine’s mother, the Empress (Lori Haley Fox) treated us to a bravura performance of Mama’s Good to You from Chicago. These musical numbers including The Boy Does Nothing sung by Widow Twankey (Andy Cryer) were all accompanied by a team of dancers exhibiting very energetic choreography. Full marks must go to the Director/ Choreographer (Ryan-Lee Seager) whose musical theatre background shone through. This was definitely a panto with a difference.
All the cast gave highly energetic performances as Bob Harmes deserved his boos and Aladdin’s brother, Frankie Twankey (Cole Dunn) whipped up the audience with the children all enjoying the booing and cheering. Together with the great musical theatre numbers there was lots of ‘look behind you,’ and ‘Oh no you didn’t,’ moments of the traditional pantomimes.
The love interests, Aladdin and Jasmine, sweetly played by Zachary Pang and Rachel Macdougall respectively had great chemistry on stage, with excellent vocals.. They led the production with conviction and charm. There was even a magic flying carpet when Zachary treated us to a version of This is the Moment as he flew through the air.
Although all the character tropes are present as in every panto, with the goodies, baddies and the usual dame, everyone put their own spin on the material.
The key to an excellent pantomime is to engage the audience and to get them to participate and this production does that in bucket loads. Each actor captures the stage so well, that it’s impossible not to get involved. All the cast worked together as an excellent ensemble.
If you like musical theatre and pantos, this production combines the two with great exuberance and energy. There is something for the children and the grownups, so don’t miss it.
Review : Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The story was the usual one, wicked Abanazar (Bob Harmes) tricks Aladdin into getting him a lamp so the genie could grant him three wishes. However, the genie in this case was a switched on performance by Gabrielle Davina Smith as she belted out One Night Only from Dream Girls. However, she was not alone with her highly energised performance as Princess Jasmine’s mother, the Empress (Lori Haley Fox) treated us to a bravura performance of Mama’s Good to You from Chicago. These musical numbers including The Boy Does Nothing sung by Widow Twankey (Andy Cryer) were all accompanied by a team of dancers exhibiting very energetic choreography. Full marks must go to the Director/ Choreographer (Ryan-Lee Seager) whose musical theatre background shone through. This was definitely a panto with a difference.
All the cast gave highly energetic performances as Bob Harmes deserved his boos and Aladdin’s brother, Frankie Twankey (Cole Dunn) whipped up the audience with the children all enjoying the booing and cheering. Together with the great musical theatre numbers there was lots of ‘look behind you,’ and ‘Oh no you didn’t,’ moments of the traditional pantomimes.
The love interests, Aladdin and Jasmine, sweetly played by Zachary Pang and Rachel Macdougall respectively had great chemistry on stage, with excellent vocals.. They led the production with conviction and charm. There was even a magic flying carpet when Zachary treated us to a version of This is the Moment as he flew through the air.
Although all the character tropes are present as in every panto, with the goodies, baddies and the usual dame, everyone put their own spin on the material.
The key to an excellent pantomime is to engage the audience and to get them to participate and this production does that in bucket loads. Each actor captures the stage so well, that it’s impossible not to get involved. All the cast worked together as an excellent ensemble.
If you like musical theatre and pantos, this production combines the two with great exuberance and energy. There is something for the children and the grownups, so don’t miss it.
Review : Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
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Audience comments:-
Arya aged nine I loved all the singing, and dancing. It was great entertainment. Wren aged Six I thought it was really good, especially when they sprayed water over the audience and we all got wet. |
The show continues
30 November 25 – 4 January 26
Tickets: £18 to £33
Length: 135 mins
https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/event/aladdin
Box Office - 01245 606 505
Show contains flashing lights and loud noises
School group booking is £15 each ticket with 1 in every 10 free. Schools performances open to the public on Wednesday 1 October.
Group booking 10+ is 10% off (Bronze, Silver & Gold performances only)
Family ticket: Gold (Super Peak) £115, Silver (Peak) £105, Bronze (Non Peak) £95 (two adults and two children / one adult and three children)
Wheelchair accessible and essential companion tickets must be booked via our Access Scheme
Friday 28 November is a preview performance, all tickets are discounted at £18 each
Monday 29 December 2pm performance is captioned
A relaxed, sensory adapted performance takes place on Friday 2 January at 2pm. This performance will also be BSL interpreted and is perfect for anyone with special needs and very young children.
A £2 fee is applicable per transaction
30 November 25 – 4 January 26
Tickets: £18 to £33
Length: 135 mins
https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/event/aladdin
Box Office - 01245 606 505
Show contains flashing lights and loud noises
School group booking is £15 each ticket with 1 in every 10 free. Schools performances open to the public on Wednesday 1 October.
Group booking 10+ is 10% off (Bronze, Silver & Gold performances only)
Family ticket: Gold (Super Peak) £115, Silver (Peak) £105, Bronze (Non Peak) £95 (two adults and two children / one adult and three children)
Wheelchair accessible and essential companion tickets must be booked via our Access Scheme
Friday 28 November is a preview performance, all tickets are discounted at £18 each
Monday 29 December 2pm performance is captioned
A relaxed, sensory adapted performance takes place on Friday 2 January at 2pm. This performance will also be BSL interpreted and is perfect for anyone with special needs and very young children.
A £2 fee is applicable per transaction