Aladdin prepares to open
November 30, 2007
As the Theatre Royals record-breaking pantomime Aladdin is just a few days away from opening Whatsonstage.com North East were allowed in to the technical rehearsals. On the surface all seems very calm as the cast work with the lighting and sound effects teams to bring the production to life, all under the watchful eye of director and writer Michael Harrison.
This year sees Michael working on his fourth pantomime with Clive Webb and Danny Adams (three at the Theatre Royal) and second with Craig Conway. One casting change is the leading lady, as for the last two years (Cinderella followed by Jack and the Beanstalk) Clive and Danny had Jill Halfpenny as their leading lady, this year sees Faye Tozer (formerly from the hit band STEPS) take over, playing the magical spirit Scherazade.
We spoke to Michael during a break in the rehearsals, as the sound technicians were arranging for more thunder to be added to a scene featuring Craig Conway as Abanazar.
Michael told me that it was easier directing people he had worked with on previous pantos, like Clive Danny and Craig, and this in turn allowed everyone to work as a large team. Furthermore the cast felt as the audience already knew them, and what to expect, due to the quality of previous pantomimes at the Theatre Royal, they did not take time to “warm up” which enhanced the performances. Also while new aspects such as Bogglevision (being introduced to the Theatre Royal audiences in Aladdin) is there to enhance the show, it was very important that if you took this 3D effect away, underneath you still had a first rate show.
Having seen his first pantomime at the Theatre Royal (Dana in Snow White) Michael is determined to continue bringing high quality shows to the Theatre Royal, which year after year are breaking box office records. Even though this year’s show is not even open yet, ticket sales have demanded an extra week has been added to the schedule. But on top of this 8,500 ticket have already been sold for next year, when Michael again brings Clive and Danny back to the Theatre Royal, in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates.
It is very clear that Michael knows and continues to deliver exactly what the North East wants, a great family pantomime, oh yes he does!
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