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| Cast | |
| Aladdin Twankey | Linda Gay |
| Princess Say Wen | Wendy Marsh |
| Widow Twankey | Sonia Williams |
| Wishee Washee Twankey | Daniel Hawkins |
| The Great Abanazar | Andy Godfrey |
| Chopsuey the Thirteenth | David Hampton |
| Dragona the Thirteenth | Stephanie Dungate |
| So Shi | Alice Barrett |
| Sing Hi | Charlotte Jacobs, Hannah Jacobs |
| Chow Mein, Grand Vizier | Mike Smith |
| Prince Pekoe | Adam Sigsworth |
| Bamboo | Allison Henderson |
| Typhoo | Helen Bezer |
| Rick Shaw | Angela Randall |
| Strong Pong, The Executioner | Keith Dungate |
| Madam Flash Bang | Eleanor McEnery |
| Mazda, Genie of the Lamp | Ian Saxton |
| Mazawattee, Spirit of the Ring | Christine McKeon |
| Egyptian Mummy | Linda Saxton |
| Citizens of Peking | Shirley Andrews, Viv Stapleton, Horry Stapleton, Stephanie David, Pauline Reen, Linda Saxton, Matt Clowry |
| Crew | |
| Stage Manager | Christine McKeon |
| Musical Director | Bernard Tilley |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Angela Juett |
| Set Construction | Ron Andrews, Allison Henderson, Christine McKeon, Ron Marsh, Paul Fruen, Lee Allen, Andrew Gabin, Derek McCrossen |
| Backdrop | Allison Henderson, Christine McKeon |
| Backstage Manager & Special Effects | John Buckle |
| Lighting Design & Rig | Alex Cooper |
| Lighting Operation | Jerry McKeon |
| Extra Lighting & Special Effects | Alex Cooper |
With grateful thanks to ASDA, Greenhithe; McDonalds, Bexleyheath; Marc Lemezma and Glenda Peck.
Review
Polished Aladdin marks a first for theatre
The Edward Alderton Theatre officially came into being in 1976 and, since that time, has never ventured into the magical world of pantomime. In 2003, however, the Bexleyheath-based theatre became a self-financing operation and it was decided that the time had come to change tack. Last Monday, therefore, a production of Aladdin opened at the EAT, which makes the most of the small but comfortable auditorium.
The show is carefully aimed at children
of all ages from around three to 80 and, at the first performance, the
atmosphere was a little like a party night for the audience and
performers alike. Indeed, Andy Godfrey's entrance as the superbly
villainous Abanazar began a dialogue between the patrons and players
that lasted for the rest of the show. It was quite a novel experience.
The theatre uses one of John Morley's professionally written pantomime
scripts but with excellent performances by Linda Gay as Aladdin, Sonia
Williams as Widow Twankey and Wendy Marsh as the princess, the show
becomes a vehicle for the talents of a very good cast. It is a
polished, lively, and entertaining production. Directed by Jenny
Devonshire, the costumes are good and the sets are effective without
being over-extravagant.
Mike Smith excels as the villainous Grand Vizier and David Hampton and Stephanie Dungate as the rulers of China generate excellent performances. The dance sequences are well choreographed. Alison Henderson and Helen Bezer generate a delightful comedy pairing as accident-prone members of the Chinese police force, while musical director Bernard Tilley creates some incredible sound effects as well as the music for the show. Although the pantomime began to run out of steam towards the end of the first night, the theatre must be pleased with a very entertaining production.
Roy Atterbury
Kentish Times | 22 January 2004
