Aladdin

Chameleon Theatre Company

The Ritchie Memorial Hall

THIS Chandler's Ford company celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and have made significant recent upgrades to their staging. Their pantomimes have always been a highlight and their new technology further-enhanced this presentation.

I’m always pleased to see Dave Wilkins’ name on the cast-list and his opening line of “same dame, different name!” introduced his Widow Twankey, a model of madcap humour, liberally laced with sharp ad-libs.

Lisa Dunbar (Aladdin) is fast-becoming a leading-light, following in the footsteps of her always-excellent mother, Marilyn, who was a lively Spirit of The Ring. Both obviously enjoyed every minute on this opening night.

Matt Costen was a cracking Abanazar, Paul Jones a personable Wishee Washee, sharing a great comic duet with Emma Peacock (Zing Zang) and Kelly Maiden shone as Princess Yasmine. All four look like talented new-blood for the company.

The children were endearing, the songs well-chosen and another sold-out audience greatly enjoyed Director Gillian Wilkins’ show.

Alan Johns