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Picture
REVIEW
Aladdin
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
18th December 2019
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5​
Ashley Banjo & Diversity star in Southend’s Genie-us pantomime, Aladdin! 
Ashley Banjo and Diversity made their pantomime debut for producers Qdos Entertainment last year in the critically acclaimed production of Dick Whittington at the London Palladium and went down an absolute storm.  This year Ashley and the gang are on their own home turf at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion and have helped to pull in record selling audience figures, with all shows pretty much sold out.

The 2009 Britain's Got Talent winners have certainly earned their pantomime wings - or in this case, rings, as they all play the 'Genies of the Ring' who pop up out of no-where every time Aladdin rubs his ring - can I say that?  It's difficult to avoid a double entendre insofar as panto's concerned and to be fair, a good old double entendre is surely the essence of a good panto.  And this is a good panto.  Grown ups will snigger at the smutty bits and kids will giggle at the slapstick and silliness.

Diversity may be the big name that has put bums on seats but it's vital that the plot, as vague as panto plots ever are, is carried along by the rest of the cast.  Unlike other years, there are no other 'big' names on this cast list unless of course you count Daniel Boys who plays this year's baddie, Abanazar.  Daniel may be familiar to those who watched the Any Dream Will Do reality show as he was one of the contestants but, more recently, played Mr Maddens in Nativity - the Musical which came to the Cliffs Pavilion last year and he can also be seen in the recent Nativity Rocks! film which is in cinemas now.  As panto baddies go, Daniel has got to be one of my favourites; he's very naughty and evil but has a sparkle in his eye that you just can't help but find endearing - this Abanazar ticks all the boxes and will have you booing and laughing in equal measure.

Ian Royce as Wishee Washee does a great job interacting and whipping the audience into shape with his comedy patter and it is great to see David Phipps-Davis return once again to Southend as pantomime dame, Widow Twankey.  He/she had kids and adults alike in fits of laughter throughout and we were treated once again to that amazing voice which suddenly seems to come from nowhere as he sings his Chinese takeaway song.  I can't stop singing, "Do you like chicken balls, yes, I like chicken balls" - AND he can rap too.   Twankey also carries off some fabulous costumes; two of which I am told have been worn by panto 'dame of dames', Christopher Biggins!

If I have one tiny gripe, it would be to see some more original writing, there were a few skits copied from last year's panto also in this one. Having said that, they still went down well with the crowd and if you hadn't seen last years, you wouldn't know otherwise.  

​
However, as you come to expect with Qdos pantomimes, there is no expense spared with costumes, design, lighting and visual effects and there are some exciting surprises to be had.  Squeals of horror and delight could be heard when a giant cobra soared above the front row of the stalls and if you don't believe in magic flying carpets, well you better have a little rethink because this Aladdin certainly manages to defy gravity!  

With some great song and dance numbers, Liam Doyle, Denquar Chupack and Cameron Johnson as Aladdin, Princess Jasmine and The Emperor complete a wonderful cast, including the ensemble and children from local performing arts school, Junior Masters, but it is clearly Diversity that everyone has come to see and they didn't leave anyone disappointed.  Led by Ashley Banjo and Perri Kiely with his trademark big hair, they showcase some of their best and most skilful moves in this production; somersaulting and tumbling across the stage accompanied by pyrotechnic bursts of fire and explosions, much to the delight of the audience.  Their energy is infectious and it's obvious that they not only enjoy performing their dance routines but they also have a natural talent as panto actors too.

Qdos certainly have yet another winner with Aladdin this year and are already getting ready for next year's panto for Southend which will be Peter Pan.  Although the run has virtually sold out, it may still be worth checking with the Box Office to see if any more tickets become available.  Diversity are currently planning their 10 year anniversary tour for next year, so if you don't get a chance to see them here in Southend, then check out the Diversity website here.
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135

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