Aladdin – Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre
13th December 2024
Invited| Review by Stephen Stokoe
Friday the 13th, a day synonymous with bad luck and creepy goings on. I had no such misfortune as I attended my fifth pantomime of the season in the form of AJ Theatrical Production traditional pantomime Aladdin and the Hartlepool Monkey at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.
It is common for pantomimes to reference the local area, perhaps some rivalries and so on in pantomimes but this script has them peppered throughout with Billingham taking some particular stick this evening much to the delight of the gathered crowd in this lovely historic looking theatre within the Town Hall.
Even before the audience took their seats, various members of the company were milling around and whipping up the sense of excitement for what was to come. I particularly liked the ‘find the sock’ game alluding to Widow Twankey’s (Gary Martin Davis) laundrette that had the kids enthralled and participating even before the first number. It was a very nice touch and certainly got everyone in the mood and in full voice.
Abanazer (Anthony Turner) or ‘Ave a banana’ is the miscreant hell bent on getting his grubby hands on a fabled magic lamp which dwells deep in a cave of wonders but can only be retrieved by one pure of heart and deed – a diamond in the rough – as it were. He enlists, entreats and otherwise cajoles street rat (rude!) Aladdin (John Browning) to assist him in his devious plan to become the most powerful sorceror in Hartleville and subsequently the world.
Once Abanazer’s plans have been revealed in the prologue we are transported to the village for the opening proper. The choreography (Zac Healey) throughout this production is very slick indeed. There is a good range of dance styles and some excellent song choices from musical director, Jen Stevens, from musical theatre and some for the more, ahem, seasoned members of the audience.
The set (Splinter Scenery) is very colourful and there are interesting things to pick out even before the scenes start and brought a smile to my face. I was particularly amused by the sign outside the Widow Twankey’s gaffe which among many of the items she professes to launder, the last is ‘money.’
Cinderella has her Buttons, the Sleeping Beauty has her Muddles, various others have their Simple Simon but probably, the most famous name in pantomime, aside from the aforementioned Buttons is Wishy Washy (sometime spelled Wishee Washee) played in this production by international comic and erstwhile warm up for Jason Manford, Phil Walker. Phil is a confident performer and is equally comfortable addressing and engaging the older audience members and the hordes of kids who happily bellowed out his name straight from the off.
Gary Martin David is a feisty and no-nonsense dame with a sardonic wit and more than a passing vibe of Alan Carr as he slips effortlessly into his many frocks.
Which seques neatly into the costumes which were absolutely outstanding and plentiful. Much praise has to go to Costume Sarah Freeman, Jamie Riding Entertainment & David Phillip Gibson and Wardrobe Supervisor Anna McIntyrefor their eye for details and I loved the finale costumes crowning off a sartorial plot which did not fail to impress.
Adding some additional glamour to Davis’ interpretation of the iconic Widow Twankey, is our Princess Jasmine (Katelyn Edwards) who is rename Jaz, fairly early on by the comic character of H’Angus The Monkey played with some energy and endearing charm by Alisha Watkins.
Every element is in this pantomime including slop scenes, a manic version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, two patter/visual gag scenes and a ghost scene. I cannot help thinking of the old adage that less is more as the set pieces rather obscured the story. That said, the audience were whooping up the action throughout and the roof was practically lifting by the closing number.
There were some fantastic vocals on stage this evening particularly from Browning, Turner and Edwards. Princess Jasmine leading the audience in a rendition of ‘All I want for Christmas is You’ was a particular highlight.
Tonight’s performance was not without technical issue which I am sure will be ironed out as the run continues.
I do not have one star of the performance tonight but in fact three. These hard working performers lit up the stage whenever they were on, be it as palace guards, Abanazer’s henchmen or strutting their stuff as skilled dancers. Step forward and take a bow, Zac Healey, Chris Travers, last but not least, Joshua White who probably needs a lie down in a darkened room after each performance.
Aladdin and the Hartlepool Monkey is a genuine community pantomime and with an ensemble of junior and seniors from the local area, for and by the community. I had a thoroughly great time screaming at the villain and laughing along with Twankey, Wishee and particularly H’Angus.