Aladdin the Pantomime, City College Performing Arts, The Hub, Southampton (From Daily Echo)

Aladdin the Pantomime, City College Performing Arts, The Hub, Southampton

10:16am Monday 10th December 2012 in Curtain Call By Alan Johns

In this very impressive new state-of-the-art venue, it was a pity that patchy sound-quality marred an enjoyable show, with much of the supporting cast’s dialogue lost without amplification.

It was a fun-filled evening, though, with Jon Chalkley an immensely likeable Widow Twankey, Darren Warrener and Georgie Gibbins (Aladdin and Princess Jasmine) both acting well, although not so capable vocally.

They were complemented by the hilariously outrageous Dan Clark (Spirit of the Ring) who treated us to a fine duet with Sam Grace (Empress).

Jack Frampton was a menacing Abernazar and the double-acts; Amyleigh Corbin and Sam Grace Shaw (maids) and Vicky Hemphill and Lily French (cleaners) made great contributions to the humour.

Costumes and sets were impressive, (nice magic carpet-ride sequence) but over-long transitions between scenes slowed the pace and lighting cues were regularly late.

Charlotte Humphreys’ choreography was a feature, as was Liane Shaw’s live band.

Marcus Bailey directed.