Christmas pantomime is all about men dressing as women, women acting as men and plenty of audience participation. We get to shout at baddies and laugh at corny jokes.
What better way of helping us to forget the dreary credit crunch, Wayne Rooney’s indecent wage packet and of course The X Factor than a helping of Eyemouth and District Community Youth Theatre Group’s production of ‘Aladdin’? This year’s show provided us with yet another bundle of everything – laughs, song and dance…..isn’t that what life should be about?
The scene was set with Abanazar, (a nasty bit of work from the Middle East) hatching his wicked plan to rule the world. Craftily and skilfully played by Steve Sadler, the “baddy” is not an easy role to carry off but Steve helped the audience to despise his every move and word – job done!
Abanazar turned to the Spirit of the Ring (Kirsten Hood) for guidance. Reluctantly obeying her master’s wishes the Spirit’s captivating performance led him to Peking in search of treasures, hidden in a secret magic cave which could only be unlocked by Aladdin, but more about this Spirit a little later.
Rachel Lauder delivered the lead role of “happy go lucky” Aladdin perfectly. Her lyrical prowess gave the audience an opportunity to sit back and enjoy rather than having to strain to hear what is being said – It is very easy to let a lead role slip away by racing the lyrics, but not with Rachel. Very well done indeed!
And so to Peking, China, just the place to operate a Chinese laundry business from one would think? Yes, unless of course it is run as a secondary “Take-Away” scoff shop by Widow Twanky (George Kay) ably assisted by Arrrrrrr so kung-fu expert; Wishee Washy (Katie Dyson). George in addition to his tireless enthusiasm will always offer one thing – a laugh! Carrying off some of the most exuberant, outrageous costumes I have seen, the pantomime dame was fantastic! Well balanced in the delivery of punch-lines as he was in high heels, thanks for the memory George.
Katie Dyson is becoming stronger in character each year. Her eagerness and motivation to be at the front and centre of the scenes she is in bodes well not only for her own confidence but also for the players she is along side. Katie was clear in pronunciation and received warm applause for the way her timely punch lines were delivered, a pleasure to watch and to listen to.
Oh dear! Oh dear! Just as we thought that Peking had nothing to fear, the law enforcement agency arrived in the form of police duo Hu-Dun-Pong (Maurine Gillie) and Yu-Dun-Wong (May Jappy). If ever two mis-fit characters needed fitting then these two fitted in perfectly. I don’t mind sharing the fact that I am 48 years old and I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much having only spent six quid! Hilarious from beginning to end – both of them, a joy to watch but I’m still not sure who done Pong or if Wong done song!!!!
The Emperor (Angus Watt) was extremely powerful and stern in his deliverance of the part. A loud booming voice rang out with supremacy, authority and clarity as he instructed So-Shy (Hannah Ritchie) to take good care of his daughter Princess Mandarin (Erin Robertson). Erin possesses a singing voice to be proud of, tenderly and sensitively offering each line of her songs perfectly, this gave the show a “feel-good” factor and was very well delivered. Hannah, whilst softly spoken in her role as consort to the Princess portrayed a different side as she took control in her position at the Chinese takeaway! Not an easy transition to make but one that was made convincingly.
The magic cave was colourful and bright whilst equally creepy. It was during this scene that we were introduced to the Genie of the Lamp (Mark Wilson). An unorthodox street-wise Genie portrayed as the king of rap with attitude to suit unleashed an impressive array of lyrics that had the audience applauding and cheering with vigour, an excellent performance young man!
Between the Spirit of the Ring and the Genie of the lamp Aladdin managed to avoid the chopping block and the eagerly awaiting Executioner played by Grant Maltman.
And so we come to happily ever after as the Spirit of the Ring concluded her performance in verse – word perfect throughout. Aladdin married his Princess and of course the magic of the Genie turned a once poisoned Abanazar into a gracious servant to Widow Twanky and the Laundry House.
The costumes (Lillian Smith and Utopia Costumes of Dundee) were what we have come to expect from the high standards of this group, colourful and fitting to each scene.
The Citizens of Peking provided dancers and chorus with an array of enthusiasm throughout the performance;
Camae Aitchison, Hamish Blackie, Dion Boon, Rachel Boyes, Zoe Burns, Alex Clough, Kaite Clough, Brendon Cooledge-Clough, Beth Cromarty, Clare Dalgity, Isla Dempster, Kirsty Doogan, Elle Drummond, Alice Ellwood, Rory Fairbairn, Alison Flockhart, Cameron Frater, Rachel Frater, Georgia Giacopazzi, Ben Grant, Brooke Heary, Cara Heary, Chandler Hutton, Amy Laidlaw, Ailsa Landels, Caitlin Lauder, Amy Martin, Annabel Matthews, Miranda McFarlane, Alicia McTavish, Lewis Middlemiss, Caitlin Morrison, Roma Peakman, Jack Ritchie, Sophie Ritchie, Zoe Robb, Carly Robertson, Hayley Robinson, Ashleigh Smith, Cerys Smith, Ellie Smith, Shannon Smith, Alice Taylor, Lauren-Rose Trafford, Daisy Watt, Emma Worters, Daisy Young.
Yet another sparkling display by everybody associated with this performance, including directors Pauline Greive and Andrea Thacker. There is little wonder that this year’s National Operatic and Dramatic Association Utopia Youth award was awarded to Eyemouth and District Community Youth Theatre Group. A fantastic effort, very well deserved and I can’t wait for next year!
Source: Berwickshire News
