Review: ALADDIN, Solihull Arts Complex, December 11 2015

Mr Solihull panto himself Malcolm Stent is back for his 25th consecutive pantomime at Solihull Arts Complex this year which he writes and directs - and in which he stars. Aladdin sees a talented cast of both familiar and fresh faces returning to the newly refurbished auditorium and front of house areas at the theatre. Traditional at every corner, there is an abundance of components there necessary to form the foundations of a good solid family pantomime; including plenty of audience participation, original takes on popular musical numbers, slapstick comedy routines and the occasional risqué double entendre.

This year's set felt fairly reminiscent in style to the one I saw last week at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; having been produced by the same company, Imagine Theatre Ltd. It appears high quality and is flooded with colour, matched perfectly by Faith Saunders' beautiful costumes. Richard Bond's lighting design also serves the vision very well.

Stent's script is packed full of wit suitable for local audiences in particular and he is able to identify crowd pleasers within the book. There is a hilarious choreographed routine with Stent as Wishee Washee, Emperor Won Hung Lo, Widow Twankey and Cecil the camel which goes down especially well with the audience - such simple humour, revisiting old school comedy. Lorraine O'Leary's choreography is delivered competently by the company and the eight dancers have some very energetic routines including a clever tap and clap number to 'Dirty Laundry' and a good Act Two opener to an instrumental version of 'Diamonds Are Forever'. The end of the first half could have ended on higher stakes and visually it screamed a dance routine but the musical number 'You Only Live Twice' sung by the Genie (Sarah Rymond) in her bluesy tones is a nice moment. Musical Director Barry Hipkiss has clearly done good work vocally with the cast.

Another ultimately traditional element which Stent always adheres to is having the principal boy played by a woman. Elise Evans is a superbly charismatic, rather goofy Aladdin and lights up the stage whenever she graces it. Aladdin wouldn't be the same without a flying carpet and we have one here which is visually executed well, although the scene itself lacks content and seems to solely rely on Evans' facial expressions. I would have liked a song here at the very least to make the most of a stunning moment. Janine Hipkins as Princess Jasmine is under used and understated but she looks beautiful and her vocals are great, especially harmonising alongside Evans. Baddie Abanazer is played by Oliver Hume, getting boos in the right places and certainly looking the part - he could perhaps crank the menacing dial up a notch but he is very comfortable in this role. Andrew Cullum represents the Dame character Widow Twankey and consistently strikes the right chord throughout. Some of the ensemble are also assigned characters to play, blurring the lines between dancers and principals and showing great enthusiasm and energy.

A good traditional family pantomime.

Photo credit: Fernando

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