Review: Aladdin at Crewe Lyceum Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] For many families in England, heading to the pantomime has become a family tradition and one which the children look forward to every year as Christmas approaches.

We love heading to Crewe Lyceum Theatre to watch their pantomimes and have enjoyed watching Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan the High-Flying Pantomime Adventure in the past.   This year we were invited to watch Aladdin on its opening week and what an adventure it was.

We could feel the whole theatre buzzing with excitement even before the show started.  The story of Aladdin begins with evil Abanazar (played by Jamie Kenna more famously known as Coronation Street and TV actor) coming on stage with the Spirit of the Ring played by much-loved television personality and choreographer Louie Spence.   

We soon find out that Abanazar wants to get his hands on the lamp which is located in The Cave of Wonders in The Mountain of Myth as the ring will give him fortune and power.  He is told by The Spirit of the Ring that he needs to find Aladdin (played by Thomas A. Chan) who is the only one able to retrieve the lamp.

We are next transported to Chinatown in Crewe where Jasmine (played by Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter Kiera-Nicole) bumps into Aladdin and sparks soon fly. But Aladdin is too poor for the likings of the Councillor, Jasmine’s mum (played by Sophie Hirst).  So Aladdin agrees to help Abanazar to retrieve the lamp in return for riches and jewels. He asks Abanazar for his ring (which holds The Spirit of the Ring) as a promise that Abanazar will keep to his word.

Soon Aladdin finds the lamp and wishes for all the diamonds, gold and riches for his family (here is where Widow Twankey’s costume gets really exciting) so he can be rich enough to ask Jasmine’s hand in marriage. But will this all end happily every after or will the wicked Abanazar gain control of the magic lamp and win the heart of Jasmine?

What did we think of Aladdin?

It is always a joy to return to Crewe’s historic Edwardian theatre to watch their panto and this year’s panto was nothing but full of full of sparkle, slosh and laughs galore.

Highlight of the night included the washing scene in Act One, as well as the Ski Scene in Act Two and the gravity-defying magic carpet journey mesmerising little ones as it was cleverly set up.

There are also plenty of jokes with local references hence making those from Crewe or close by, feel very welcomed.  Widow Twanky (played by Malcolm Lord) gets top marks for looking fantastic in the costumes. While Jamie Kenna kept in character well.

There are plenty of pop songs for the audience to sing and dance to  through out the show and the singing voice of Kiera-Nicole and Amelia Atherton just shone through so brightly.  Need I say more about Louie Spence ? The crowd went crazy every time he came on stage and did a dance number.  His enthusiasm and energy is just limitless.  Fantastic performance by Thomas A. Chan who played Aladdin but the biggest cheers has to be awarded to Wishy, played by Ste Johnston who somehow kept the crowd entertained with his jokes, antics as well as his dance moves. The stage chemistry between him and Widow Twanky is outstanding.  It was wonderful to see so many young performers on stage and a lovely diverse group of actors as well in this year’s panto.

One thing that stood out for me was the fantastic props and backdrops as we were transported from one scene to another with such easy and some of the scenes were so believable, my favourites has to be Widow Twankey’s Laudry Set, the Cave of Wonders as well as The Pagoda of Perpetual Bliss Set.

So don’t out on the chance to head to Aladdin this year and remember to purchase extra copies of the Programme as it has all the details about the cast as well additional write up about the history of the pantomime and it also includes activity sheets, puzzles and crosswords for the little ones to keep them busy.

CAST

Spirit of the Ring Louie Spence
Abanazar Jamie Kenna
Jasmine Kiera Nicole Brennan
Widow Twankey Malcolm Lord
Wishy Ste Johnston
Aladdin Thomas A Chan
Genie Amelia Atherton
Ensemble/Councillor Sophie Hirst
Ensemble/PC Pickle Michael/Dean-Wilson
Ensemble Joey Warne

CREATIVE TEAM

Associate Producer Laura Taylor
Writer Eric Potts
Director David McNeil
Musical Director Gregor Keachie
Choreographer Graeme Pickering
Dance Captain Michael Dean-Wilson
Musical Arranger Steve Clark 
Production Manager, Lighting & Sound Designer Carl Knapper

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £25.50.

How do I book tickets to watch Aladdin?

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office at 0343 310 0050 or by visiting Crewe Lyceum’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will run until Sunday, 8 January 2023.  Times vary please see Crewe Lyceum Theatre’s website for full details.

Where is Crewe Lyceum Theatre?

Phone: 01270 368242

About Crewe Lyceum 

The Crewe Lyceum is Cheshire’s historic Edwardian theatre and a Trafalgar Entertainment venue. Established in 1911, the theatre has been thrilling and delighting audiences with the best of drama, comedy, variety and more for over a century – and counting. Every year more than 23,000 theatregoers attend the annual Crewe Lyceum pantomime, and audiences shouldn’t wait to secure their seats for Cheshire’s favourite family pantomime. 

About Imagine Theatre

Run by husband-and-wife team Steve and Sarah Boden, Imagine Theatre is a pantomime and family theatre production company operating from a purpose-built facility in Coventry, which houses their head office, along with over 40 sets and more than 30,000 costumes and prop items. With a team of over 25 working for the company, Imagine Theatre is growing and evolving with each year that passes. Working alongside Steve & Sarah Boden is Associate Producer and Head of Celebrity Casting, Laura Taylor, whilst heading up the creative department is Artistic Director Eric Potts. 

In addition, along with its sister company MI Workshops, Imagine Theatre operates its own set, prop and costume construction workshops, providing equipment for theatres and producers across the whole of the UK. Every Christmas, the company works on over fifty pantomimes, supplying everything from a single prop to the staging of entire productions, providing employment for many hundreds of theatre practitioners.
In addition to their work in pantomime, Imagine Theatre works as producers and general managers for many family theatre productions and are currently producing the national tour of Justin Live – The BIG Tour! with Justin Fletcher, which tours the UK throughout 2022.

You may want to read this:

Review: Sleeping Beauty at Crewe Lyceum Theatre

Review: Peter Pan the High-Flying Pantomime Adventure at Crewe Lyceum

Review- Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre

Photo credit: Crewe Lyceum Theatre/Wes Webster Photography

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.