Aladdin

Published Thursday 17 December 2009 at 15:35 by Barbara Champion

Hastings folk love their pantomimes and they will turn out for this colourful production. Leslie Grantham, unhurried, cannot go wrong as Abanazar and on sight establishes a love-hate relationship with the kids before saying one word of the witty script.

Neil Toon is an accomplished singing Aladdin and Masked Avenger with generous polish and style. His brother, Wishee Washee, played by Noel Andrew Harron, invents loads of fun for all. Neil Brennan is the bold and wonderful Genie of the Lamp, Seanette Garcia the lovely American Princess Jasmine.

Drew Baker plays Widow Twankey, looking for love while parading nine flashy outfits. Bobby Windebank and Nick Whitely are an amusing pair of funky on the beat dancing policemen and Lauren Appleby as the Slave of the Ring brings energy to her scenes. High points include the Red Arrows novelty sequence, when five dancers and Twankey, dressed in red body suits, trot and cartwheel around the stage. When Abanazar is transformed from baddy to goody, reluctantly, he aptly sings I Want to Be Loved By You. Racky Plews’ choreography is clever, especially for the ballet scene. The full ensemble pieces are excellent in design, content and new and live music.

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