…..SoSuterBill…..

Stage: Aladdin – Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
Performances (mornings and matiness only) until January 14
REVIEW BY BILLY SUTER

THE winner of six Durban Theatre Awards after it was last staged at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in 2014, KickstArt’s Aladdin is the perfect, giant cherry on top of the festive season and drew an instant standing ovation from a capacity audience at last night’s official opening.

Booked in at the Sneddon until January 14, this is one of the most visually spectacular of the nine pantomimes that the theatre company alternates annually and, arguably, one of the most amusing and with the most colourful characters.

Add a fun, talented cast of 13 performers, gorgeously costumed and performing on a customarily excellent set by Greg King that is beautifully lit by Tina le Roux, and you have another luxury lucky-dip guaranteed to add glitter to anyone’s festive season and a sparkle at the box-office.

The show is under the direction of Darren King, standing in for Aladdin’s writer and original director, Steven Stead, who is in Cape Town directing a new touring revival of The Sound of Music. King, who in previous productions of this panto has played villain Abanazer and, in 2014, Aladdin’s mum Widow Twankey – does a sterling job with his zealous team.

This time around, filling the title role last played by Nathan Kruger, is East London-based, star-on-the-rise Daniel Anderson who, if a little too enthusiastically hammy at times, is a charmer in good voice. Princess Jasmine, once again, is played by Georgina Mabbett and as Aladdin’s mum, scene-stealing Widow Twankey, we have the towering and truly terrific Blessing Xaba, the queen of KickstArt panto dames.

However, Xaba is not the only standout here. As Twankey’s sidekick Wishee Washee, who works in Twankey’s Burst Bubble laundry, the energetic and ebullient Mthokozisi Zulu is the perfect foil, the team’s duet about friendship being an early highlight.

The panto has a number of wonderful performances, not least that of versatile  Iain Robinson. As the nasty and conniving Abanazer, he is a constant hoot delivering witty lines and attracting hisses and boos aplenty. He further delights with an impromptu rap and, in another scene, objecting to joining most of the cast in a highly amusing delivery of The Hokey Cokey.

For me, however, the loudest applause must go to Rory Booth. As Genie of the Ring, a role for which he won an award in 2014, he is a clear favourite, his comic clout coming from an exaggerated Indian accent and local slang, as well as many moments of high camp. His talent further extends to good vocals and deft dance moves. And on the subject of dance – a hearty back-slap for choreographer Evashnee Pillay and the six attractive dancers who also play street folk, soldiers, Jewel Spirits and courtiers.

Also featuring Belinda Henwood as Jasmine’s ditzy assistant Dar-Ling (loved their Girls Just Wanna Have Fun duet) and, as surprise characters, Jailoshnee Naidoo and Steven Stead, Aladdin has all the usual trimmings and tinsel.

Yes, there’s an audience singalong with lyrics on a drop-down fabric. Yes, there is slapstick and silliness (Abanazer in a washing-machine will have the little ones laughing out loud). And, yes, there are lots of popular songs thrown in to the mix – among them hits associated with Queen, Dua Lipa and, er, Kermit the Frog. We also get A Whole New World, sung on a fluorescent flying carpet.

The spectacular sets and props depict everything from the bustling streets of Peking to a Cave of Wonders with dancing jewels, the corridor of an Imperial palace, a wasteland, Jasmine’s tower bedroom and the Temple of Isis. We even get a giant dragon!

The expected knowing nods and winks in the script are also plentiful, the playful references including Jacob Zuma and Tina Turner. Even Cyril Ramaphosa’s couch.

Aladdin performances are at 2.30pm every Tuesday to Friday, 11am and 3.30pm on Saturdays, and 2.30pm on Sundays. Tickets range in price from R150 to R265, and booking is at Webtickets.

If you see only one show this festive season, this is it! Book as soon as possible as it is sure to be a sell-out!