Aberystwyth Pantomime |
| The Wardens- Aladdin , Aberystwyth Arts Centre , January 15, 2013 |
It’s Christmas and New Year time once again and that has meant that, as for 30 years or more, The Wardens are serving up their annual Pantomime. I have been fortunate enough to see many of their festive offerings over the years and they have never failed to delight, amaze and thoroughly entertain their loyal audiences. Each year, one does not quite believe that the high, professional standards they have set can always be reached but one would be very wrong! This year’s “Aladdin” is a riotous success with new slants and situations that in no way interfere with the strong story telling which has always been such an important feature of their work.Once again, all the technicalities of the panto are excellently achieved. The many, colourful sets are relevant, pleasing to the eye and deftly handled. The band, under the watchful and imaginative guidance of Elinor Powell, produces melodious sound and some amusingly pert stage effects, and the balance between stage and orchestra pit is well balanced and harmonious in every sense. The costumes are lavish and well selected and the whole enterprise moves confidently and smoothly at a cracking pace. Carl Ryan’s choreography is clever, smart and slick, well presented by a talented and energetic ensemble who deliver their routines with panache. And so to the players! Richard Cheshire’s “dames” are by now legendary and his Widow Twankey this year is well up to his very best. He gets all the moods of the role, (the motherly, the outraged, the petulant, the witty, the resourceful, to name but a few). He is tireless, indefatigable and very, very funny – as always, a total delight to see and hear. A Wardens’ veteran, Ioan Guile, returns to play the haughty and bad-tempered Emperor of China whose orders are consistently disobeyed and whose influence constantly frustrated. His fussing, fidgeting and fuming and stuttering outbursts of helpless rage are exactly and hilariously right. How good to see him and his considerable expertise working so effectively and entertainingly. Aladdin (Sam Ebenezer) is played with real honesty and charm. You believe in him totally and follow his adventures with real interest, so natural, convincing – and athletic! – is his performance. His Princess (Bethan Pearce) is an excellent co-star for him. She is attractive, feisty and in excellent voice. Aladdin’s brother, Wishee Washee, is endearingly played by Alex Enmarch. His comedy comes over easily and naturally and he relates well to the audience. Abanazar(Alex Neil) in this version has resurrected Queen Nefertiti of Egypt from her sarcophagus to help in his evil designs. Alex is the youngest actor I have seen in this role but he is commanding and has some effective scenes with the nasty Nefertiti, played with villainous gusto and obvious enjoyment by Theresa Jones, another welcome Wardens’ regular. We must not forget Ping and Pong, the traditional panto Chinese policemen (Huw Bates and Paul Ditch). They enter into their routines with great glee and are endlessly funny. Playing their sergeant (and the “straight man” to their comedy) is Julie McNicholls who plays this difficult role with commendable character and sense. You will not forget the Genie of the Lamp! Choreographer Carl Ryan has a big voice and a huge personality. He is made up to the nines in gold paint and a suitably skimpy costume to maximum effect. His performance is strong and highly watchable. So there we have it - another Wardens’ pantomime for which only superlatives will do. All credit to cast, band and backstage crew and particularly to the author and director, Richard Cheshire. He knows what his audience wants, he is steeped in the traditions and functioning of the panto genre and his direction here is as sure- footed, as skilful, as purposeful and as wonderfully entertaining as always. Will they pull it off so triumphantly next year? Oh yes they will!! |
Reviewed by: Derek Harmer-Morris |
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