Reader Reviews
Aladdin (Old Vic Theatre, West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Irritating and dull. The odd line sparkles but every character seems so insular and glib. Very disappointing. - addicted to theatre | 20 Apr 10 |
| Best Panto I have seen. Unlike most pantos you see, where they rely on no name "celebrities" to bring the crowds in, this panto had a fantastic cast. It was performed by actors, not washed up singers or soap stars. The script was clever, and alot more intelligent than most pantos. Ian McKellen was great as Dame, played her like a woman not a transvestite. Maureen Lipman played Dim Sum so simple, but so spectacular. Perfectly cast. It was Roger Allam, as I expected, who stole the show for me. So in character, such a wonderful actor and his singing voice is beauitful. Very funny too. I loved all the "Wigun" jokes (but you had to be from the North West I suppose to get them!) The Elton John song was bloody awful, but what more could be expected than his usual four of five chords plunked on a piano with a tuneless melody and silly lyrics? Hehe, but it didn't bring the show down. I usually hate panto, but this was a magical afternoon. Special Well Done to Ian McKellen, because he was actually sick, but yet he still made sure he did his performances wonderful and didn't step out so that the public (since most people came to see him) weren't disappointed. Great show. Love to Roger Allam as a villain again (he is so perfect as them, like Javert!) - 62.252.0.10) | 20 Jan 05 |
| I wouldn't for all the world have missed the joy of seeing Sir Ian mincing around in a succession of glorious gowns that make Roger de Bris look quite restrained, but that's it, really. Try and leave before the final curtain because the soppy maudlin song about world peace at the end is a real downer. Hardly any children in the audience, which makes you wonder. I thought Aladdin and the Princess were terrible. I've seen far, far funnier and more glamorous pantos in the provinces and at Richmond Theatre, frankly. But I am madly grateful to the friend who dragged me along as I wouldn't have missed Sir Ian's legs for the world. - 195.93.34.11) | 20 Jan 05 |
| Very sorry but this missed the point. Sir Ian fab and his costumes great but would this work if it was not 'him' I think not. The joke was that it was Sit Ian - lost on the kids. Joe Mc as the lead should have been the comic side kick WW. Miss Lipman so miss cast, what a mad idea. The sets had no sparcle, clever with everything on ropes but even last night this went wrong in two places. The lead girl was not pretty in voice or looks! The 2 'comic' policeman did not have enough comic skill, esp in the dire wallpapering scene. Good mix of aud' last night but when Ian not on it was just a drag. The totaly forgetable new songs (why?) panto is like music hall, songs you know and love to sing along to and twice they had to tell us Sir Elton wrote one of the songs! All in all not a panto in the British sense of the word. Missed chance - better luck next year. I think the best London panto to do is Dick Wittington, next year Kevin? - 217.13.129.151) | 17 Jan 05 |
| Brilliant. Ian McKellen and Roger Allum were outstanding and the whole show was a delight to watch. - 193.23.116.11) | 14 Jan 05 |
| I thought the show was absolutely fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was dazzled by the talent of the cast. It was pure panto, awfully cheesy and very entertaining - as it should be! I hope to see it again soon! - 81.156.111.67) | 11 Jan 05 |
| I was really looking forward to seeing this but left dissapointed. Despite McKellan being a wonderful Dame the whole production lacked sparkle and panto magic. Shame - could have been so good. - 212.158.229.242) | 10 Jan 05 |
| Ian McKellen turns out to be an absolutely brilliant drag queen and dame but Sean Mathias's smug and shambolic direction of a weak script with a shoddy musical score means that the show revolves around his stage presence and costumes rather than giving a good vular entertainment from all the ensemble most of whom (particularly Maureen Lipmann) must be wondering why they bothered. - 217.43.117.80) | 07 Jan 05 |
| the trouble with this show was that it was a little too perfect,lacking the spontaniety of the more rogher edged versions, Sir Ian looked magnificent but lacked the genuine comic touch of a comedian rather than a comic actor, Maureen Lippmans part was superfluous to requirements and the singalong and slapstick scenes were embarrassing. It was left to Roger Allam and that great old trouper Sam Kelly to get the audience really going. A polished effort but a better time was had by the cast than the audience. - 195.92.67.69) | 02 Jan 05 |
| It's a bit uneven, but it has all the right ingredients and it looks lovely. Above all, it is an opportunity to see what will no doubt turn out to be the greatest Dame we'll ever see. Ian puts in as much to this role as any classic and it shows. When he's off the stage it also shows, but that's no reason to miss this treat. - 81.136.159.11) | 01 Jan 05 |
| Wonderful. Great fun for both kids and adults, Sir Ian McKellen is magnificent and the whole thing is a thoroughly enjoyable and giddy fairytale romp, with all the traditional pantomime ingredients. - 81.156.178.164) | 31 Dec 04 |
| A really good show. Everyone in the cast was excellent. Allam, Lipman, McKellen and Kelly are all superb. Wonderful verbal and musical references thoughout the show. Audience entered into the spirit of the procedings and a good time was had by all, which showed in the cheering at the walkdown. - 82.35.9.8) | 28 Dec 04 |
