Aladdin REVIEW
Seaford Musical Theatre at the Barn Theatre When you are taking an eight-year-old to her first pantomime you really really want it to be good, so she’s left with a lasting image of theatre that will give her a life-long love of live performance. The rousing overture over I sneaked a peek at Molly’s face as she reacted to Abanazar’s evil opening words – yes, the talented Steve Llewellyn had caught her imagination. But would she like the singing and dancing in old Peking? Oh yes she did! She was as delighted as me by the casting of long-legged Gemma Albrow as Aladdin and flame-haired Lamiah Davey as Princess Peony; this pairing sang beautifully and we all clapped like mad. However, it is to the Musical Theatre’s credit that they remembered that we return to the familiar panto stories time after time because of the comedy, the singing serving to provide a change of pace between the slapstick. And here the Barn performers excelled. John Tester was an exuberant Widow Twankee, dolled up to Ashley Electrical is Ashleyrun Electrical is a family a family Ashley Electrical is run business, business, are we a we family run are fully fully insured, insured, NICNICEICwe approved business, are EIC approved and fullyPinsured, NIC andPpart registered. part registered. approved and There nono jobjob too too big ThereisisEIC part P registered. big or small.
the nines in a gallon of blue eyeshadow, and making his entrance by disrobing to display a fat suit in abundant female form, which brought the house down; other costumes were more modest but sumptuous. Shar Turnbull, who was responsible for these, also put in a terrific and very comic performance as Wishee Washee and both got the audience participation going with a loud swing. The show was stolen, however, by Julie Terry and Ann Taylor as the incompetent policemen Y-Dun Wong and Hu Dun-Pong, entering on scooters, with blue lights on their helmets. Their tongue-twisting repartee was brilliantly voiced and chase scenes on such a small stage were hilariously executed. At this point I must give due credit to Sarah Eaton’s direction. She didn’t miss a trick, and used all parts of the theatre to make this production even more audience inclusive, aided by Shar Turnbull and some inventive choreography by Stuart Hall.
David Foster’s Emperor was suitably pompous and Caley Foster was a sweet but chippy So-Shy. But what about the magic? Tanieth Kerr was delightful as the Spirit of the Ring, her gentleness contrasting wonderfully with small.is no job too or too There big or small. Kate Horscraft’s gutsy and funny Genie of the Lamp Ashley Electrical whose voice was amplified around the theatre to great Domestic, Commercial Commercial & Industrial Domestic, & Industrial Ashley Electrical effect thanks to Laurence Woolven and Dave Rogers. Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Other parts were taken by the hard-working and enthusiastic chorus of Sue James, Cath Brooks, Helena Darren Ashley has many years experience in all aspects of Darren has many years electrical installation. Ashley experience in all aspects Olsen – who also painted the attractive sets – Gavin Job, If youDarren would Ashley like a free quote, please contact us viainthe Christopher Gable, Samuel Eaton and Joshua Henry. has many years experience alldetails aspects of electrical installation. If you would like a free quote of below. electrical installation. But where would panto be without the music? Full please via the details below. Services If youinclude: would contact like a freeusquote, please contact us via the details o below. Interior and exterior lighting and power marks then to musical director Russell Taylor and Tony Services o Services From an extra socket to a fullinclude: re-wire include: Still (percussion), Andy Harsant (bass guitar) and Paul o FuseInterior board upgrades andexterior exterior lighting power o Interior and lighting and and power Harrington (guitar). That the show ran so smoothly must o Test & inspection (part P certification/reports) extrasocket socket fullre-wire re-wire o FromFrom an extra to atofull o Fault finding be due to the likes of Ray Woolven, Paula Woolven, Tony o Fuse boardFuse upgrades board upgrades o Test & inspection (part P certification/reports) Betts, Angie Wright and Marilyn Nolan. Contact us on (Newhaven) 01273 780639/07990 784898
Ashley Electrical
Test and inspection (part P certification/reports)
o Fault finding info@ashley-electrical.co.uk Fault finding www.ashley-electrical.co.uk Contact us on (Newhaven) Ashley Electrical South East Ltd 01273 780639/07990 784898
Contact us on (Newhaven) 01273 780639 / 07990 784898 info@ashley-electrical.co.uk info@ashley-electrical.co.uk www.ashley-electrical.co.uk www.ashley-electrical.co.uk Ashley Electrical South East Ltd Ashley Electrical South East Ltd
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But what did Molly like best? “I loved it all,” she said. And so did I. Andrea Hargreaves
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