Aladdin | Newcastle Theatre Royal | 27th November 2025
Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe
The pantomime season is back and in full swing across many theatres in the country – oh yes it is! In my first review of the 2025 season I was delighted to be in the audience for press night of Crossroads Pantomime’s Aladdin along with director, producer, and writer Michael Harrison as slapstick and magic duo Danny Adams and Clive Webb celebrate 20 glorious years at this iconic theatre right in the heart of Newcastle.
As the audience takes their seats, the auditorium is colourfully litwhich sets the scene wonderfully for what is to come. There is a sense of excited anticipation to see what the team has put together this year after two decades of entertaining the north east. The audience does not have to wait long. As the curtain rises, we are welcomed by returning star and local lad Joe McElderry who opens the show with a Wicked inspired journey over the last 20 years as he travels through the history of Pantomania. As the number progresses he introduces past props, beasts, and other references to pantomimes past – it was a glorious sight to welcome back such visual effects as Jack’s giant and Captain Hook nemesis – the crocodile.
Father and son comedy duo Danny and Clive are at their very best in this production with Danny playing the titular Aladdin and Clive, his dad, Father Goose. Mother Goose is the immaculately dressed, Chris Hayward who returns as pantomime dame, herself, for the 18th year. Her frocks and physics-defying wigs are outrageously good this year.
The skin, or animal based character, comes in the form of Priscilla, the Goose (Oliver Moriarty) whose fluttering lashes and balletic movement are a joy to watch. It must be quite a work out for Mr Moriarty in that costume so definitely credit where credit is due.
When you mention pantomime, thoughts instantly turn to baddies and providing a cackling turn as the Wicked Witch of Wallsend is Rachael Stanley, a veteran now herself of many years of panto. Completing the cast we have Old King Cole, an other returning artist in the form of Wayne Smith, who we have not seen at the Theatre Royal since his last royal outing as King Triton in The Little Mermaid; Billie Kay, strikes a pose of beauty as love interest for Aladdin, Princess Jemima and a very hard working and wonderfully choreographed ensemble all of whom combine to enthral the audience from beginning to end. Oh – and Mick. Anyone who has seen a Danny and Clive panto will understand why “Oh – and Mick” is probably the greatest complimentary credit I could give him.
In addition to Mother Goose’s gravity defying creations, all the other costumes are equally stunning in this production from a team including Teresa Nalton, James McIver, and Mike Coltman. The set design (Andrew Exeter) and special effects (The Twins FX) are beautifully illuminated by Lighting Design guru Ben Cracknell and the sound by Matt Paploe was exemplary too.
The soundtrack to this pantomime is worthy of its own cast recording. There are some superb mashups and set pieces from musical director Andrew Hilton which drive the action and carry the laughs.
This pantomime opens with a bang, closes with a crash of applause and wallop, you’re buying your tickets for next year’s giant of a pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Hearty congratulations on your stunning achievement, Danny and Clive, for 20 years of pantomime at the historic Newcastle Theatre Royal. We cannot wait to see what you do next.