WHAT this youth production lacked in quality was amply compensated for by the sheer exuberance with which the teenage cast connected with their first-night audience.

Lauren Cunningham excelled in the title role, supported by Mike Hlavaty as ad-libbing Stefan the sailor, Lottie Pointer (Alorana, the Evil Witch) and Reuben Humphreys, who delivered speed-rhyming couplets as the Good Genie.

The engaging duo of Rachel Humphries and Ellie Cunningham (Hannah and Montana) were word-perfect while prompt Audrey Eccles was otherwise fully engaged.

This was a very attractive cast and ‘Scooby’ Hlavaty (Princess Azura) delivered a tender version of Make you Feel My Love, while Lucy Williams (Cabin Boy Bob), made no attempt to play the customary “principal girl dressed as a boy” to the obvious delight of Ali and Baba (Josh Graham and Ben Humphreys). Amos Catto threw himself fully into playing Dodo the Bird.

ALAN JOHNS