Aladdin

Our Review:

Ron Simpson - 7 December 2010

Aladdin can come in many forms, most frequently pantomime or opulent Arabian Nights extravaganza. Writer Mike Kenny and director Gail McIntyre opt for a quasi-improvised simplified version of the original Thousand and One Nights story performed by a selection of market traders and the dozy youth they co-opt to play the title part.

With the Courtyard re-aligned as a traverse stage, designer Barney George has great fun re-creating Leeds’ Kirkgate market, with the acting area spanned by a great arch and market signs all around. Music is very much home-made by the cast, composer/musical director Ivan Stott contributing a Sultan straight out of Hobson’s Choice in addition to pleasingly eccentric incidental music (much use of improvised percussion) and some decent songs, “Anything and everything your heart desires” meriting its several reprises.

It’s the sort of production where nobody gets away with just being an actor: street performers...

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Latest User Review

Rob - 1 January 2011:

Absolutely excellent - whole family enjoyed it. As a rule I don't 'do' audience participation but I couldn't help myself, not least because the lovely Katie Mathews tickled my head with a feather duster...well put together, consistently entertaining and no passengers in terms of the cast. Couldn't ask for more....

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