Panto needs a glorious buzz of energy, dance, music, and comedy – and this year’s outing at Norwich Theatre Royal delivers them all.
It’s a glitzy and full on production, with bold and intricate sets from Lowestoft-based Scenic Projects and dazzling costumes by Kirsteen Wythe bringing everything to life in dramatic technicolour – including a stunning magic carpet ride.
Richard Gauntlett’s script transfers Aladdin to “Norwich-on-the-verge” – the furthest east it ventures is Great Yarmouth – but in truth in pantoland the story seldom really matters. What is important is that there is plenty of fun and nonsense though, even if it lacks the traditional innuendo that can sail over the kids heads to keep the adults entertained.
Owen Evans makes a stunning debut as the dame, with Joe Tracini reprising his crowd-pleasing sidekick role for the fifth year running. Tarik Frimpong and Meesha Turner make for a cute central couple of Aladdin and Jazz, both giving good vocal performances.
Lisa Maxwell as baddie Prof Bellatrix Bottomburgh, and Morgan Wilcox as the spikey Spirit of the Ring complete the main cast, although the unlikely cameo by TV cook come football boss Delia Smith as the voice of the Spirit of Norwich makes for a sometimes wicked virtual addition.
Holly Houseman steps out of the ensemble for one of the show’s smartest set pieces, joining Evans, Tracini, and Frimpong for a slapstick song and dance routine that gets increasingly, and pleasingly, more absurd.
There’s an awful lot to like in this big bold family pantomime. My wish is that it gets the big audience it deserves.
- Aladdin continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 5 January 2025.
