Aladdin (Chelmsford, Civic Theatre)
The story of Aladdin is of course, an Arabian one in its origin. Simon Aylin who has written and directed this new show laces the story with Bollywood elements, which fit in very nicely as the story flows from country to country. Our hero is Chris Carswell who has an engaging personality touched with just enough naïvité to make his pursuit of the Princess and susceptibility to Abanazer’s machinations credible.
Widow Twankey is Richard Earl, a no-nonsense type of Dame, revelling in the off-beat “Twelve days of Christmas” trio as well as the more conventional custard-pie routine, and holding the stage for the scenes with [Nathan Guy’s Wisheee Washee and Paul Beech’s Sultan. Ben Kennedy is the musical director and Heather Douglas’ choreography has her cast turning wrists and flexing ankles in true Indian dance fashion. No designer is specifically credited, but the magic carpet journey was extremely well done.