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The
Geordie Family Panto
Aladdin
Newcastle Tyne Theatre
& Opera House
Until Wednesday 30th
December 2015
In
a crowded market place, how do you offer a panto with a unique selling point?
Tyne Theatre’s production feels authentically Geordie. The local accents are
allowed to ring around the stage. The end product is strongly proud of the
region and doesn’t resort to much of the “the people in the next village are
idiots” mentality… Apart from football jokes, but that is as much a part of the
region as jokes about shopping in Fenwicks.
Opening
the show in Peking is the delightful Jayne
Mackenzie, as Aladdin, singing the Boy
Meets Girl hit “Waiting For A Star To Fall”. It was the first of a number
of songs that she skilfully tackled.
Apart
from the great songs, the other feature of this production is the relentless
volley of jokes. First up with the funny lines are Lewis Denny and Gary Walsh
as the dim Constable Pong and slightly brighter Sergeant Ping. It wasn’t long
before they too broke out into song. Mark
Ronson’s hit “Uptown Funk” is this year’s hit for pantos as they nearly all
cover it. Lewis and Gary gave a great tongue in cheek rendition. The dancers, Sherrie McKale, Alistair Walker,
Laura Williams and Daniel Constanzo, along with a group of cracking youngster
added a vibrancy, with their choreography, whenever they were on stage.
The
huge role of script writer, director and panto dame is in the very capable
hands of Maxie Peters. As Widow Twankey he is able to control the
early proceedings of the show. The jokes
fly across the stage in rapid fire.
Whilst all of the classic panto elements are present in the show, at
least there are some different jokes in this show. It was great to hear the historic theatre
filled with laughter.
The
biggest laughs of the nights were reserved for Charlie Richmond as Aladdin’s
brother, Wishee Washee. He had a
fantastic ability to connect with both the adults and the younger members of
the audience. Whilst many pantos do the 12 Days of Christmas, Charlie helped
make the Tyne Theatre’s version the very best.
There was no stopping the music to find a missing item here – the pace
was relentless which helped add to the intensity of the routine.
Every
panto needs a baddie and Kevin O’Keefe filled the role without being too nasty.
Sarah Badger and Emily Swan were both glamorous as the Genie of the Ring and
Princess Jasmine.
Given
her reputation for singing, it was a surprise that Lorraine Crosby didn’t have
more numbers. After a rousing rendition of Eurythmics
“Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves” Lorraine was not given much to
sing until the grand finale with a fabulous Abba medley. Her role as the
Empress of China shows that she can act too.
With
its live band playing a number of popular songs, under musical director Michael
Watson, family friendly jokes and sharp sense of Geordie humour, this is a
classic panto. It feels local without
feeling alienating. It is a very
enjoyable show for all of the family.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview:
http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/preview-aladdin-at-newcastle-tyne.html
Tickets:
The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm
Monday to Friday and event days
Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm
Monday to Friday)
Tickets
are now available from www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
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