Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

At the Torch

Torch Theatre- Aladdin , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , December 9, 2013

I always enjoy the anticipation of a Torch Pantomime and this year’s Aladdin has all the right ingredients of song, humour and good family entertainment.

The return of popular Dion Davies guarantees a top class Dame, always with a cheeky quip or three, and her final Christmas tree costume is super. The cast bounce their performances off her and the last thing I could have imagined was a Widow Twankey singing a new theme song for James Bond - but this is the Torch and it was great.

Jimmy Whittaker’s PC Ping is delightful and as soon as he loses his trousers his athletically comical performances link the scenes together so well.

A Torch pantomime always has a surprise up its sleeve and this year Sean Crawley’s set is not a disappointment. Aladdin’s hazardous venture down into the wondrous Forbidden Zone is mesmerising for the young audience. I particularly enjoyed the guardians of the magic lamp - an ingenious chorus of animated Terracotta Warriors rapping out their messages of doom.

Magician Abanazar states his wicked ambitions quite clearly in the opening scene of this Torch production and the young audience are onto him immediately. Jordan Bernarde is a great villain - I’m surprised he’s not booed by children when shopping. He has a brilliant solo spot supported by his continuously jeering young chorus as he cruelly condemns the naive Aladdin down into this underworld.

Caught up in the excitement I hoped the Emperor of Peking’s entrance to be more startling, but there is no disappointment when the Genie bursts onto the stage in such a classic manner. Lloyd Grayshon’s laid back character has many of the best lines and he makes no secret of his loyalty to the lamp – whoever possesses it.

Another regular leading man at the Torch is Sion Ifans who can sing and dance. His performance as Aladdin along with Kate Jarman as Princess Samina is excellent. James Williams’ original music suits them both and I enjoyed Kate’s solo performance very much. I also appreciated the fun of her final dilemma when she realises there’s a real opportunity for her to become Empress of Peking - instead of the fairytale ending of marriage to her hero Aladdin.

Like all good pantomimes, audience participation is very evident and at one stage the cast has the audience singing like a well trained choir. Very enjoyable.

........

Aladdin
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven
December 20th to 28th

Author and Director: Peter Doran
Designed by: Sean Crowley
Music: James Williams
Producer: Torch Theatre Company
Cast:
Aladdin Sion Ifans
Widow Twankey Dion Davies
Abanazar Jordan Bernarde
Emperor of Peking Chris Morgan
Princess Samina Kate Jarman
Genie Lloyd Grayshon
PC Ping Jimmy Whittaker

photo ©Craig Sugden

Reviewed by: Ron Waters

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At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
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At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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