Aladdin a hit with audiences!
At last, we’re delighted to finally be able to present to you, Aladdin, albeit a year later than planned!
Aladdin was originally meant to be our 2020/21 panto, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to produce such a show. We did instead have our wonderful Christmas offering, Four Dames in Search of Panto, which brought joy to Winchester audiences in challenging times, as well as providing work for our regular core panto team.
Now, a year later, our traditional family panto is back with a bang. Aladdin opened with preview performances on Saturday 4 December and it’s already a hit with audiences.
This was the best panto we’ve seen since we’ve been coming for the last 7 years! The cast and crew pulled out all the stops. We loved it.
Aladdin has been produced by the same creative team behind the last few pantomimes at Theatre Royal Winchester: writer, lyricist and director James Barry and composer Simon Slater. This successful partnership was nominated for their original musical score for Beauty and the Beast in the Great British Pantomime Award’s Musical Achievement Award. James Barry was also nominated for Best Script in the Great British Pantomime Awards for his script of Dick Whittington.
Funny, entertaining, and just FAB!
The production sees the wonderful Julian Eardley return as Widow Twankey (his 12th year as Winchester’s Dame!) and comic sidekick Ed Thorpe as Wishee Washee – together they bring mischief and mayhem to the theatre’s historic stage.
Libby Gore returns to Winchester in the title role and hero of the story Aladdin following her performances in last year’s Four Dames in Search of Panto and Dick Whittington in 2019.
We absolutely loved this show - it was perfect entertainment! The children in our party thoroughly enjoyed it and so did the adults!
Ben Tolley plays the evil, conniving Abanazar; Michaela Bennetts-Higgins the magical Spirit of the Ring; Rikki Chamberlain the comical Genie and Policeman, and Rosie Coles Princess Jasmine. The production also features a fabulous support cast of local young performers.
Aladdin, which runs until Sunday 2 January 2022, is a timeless rag to riches tale. With original songs, a great cast and hilarious script this ‘genie-us’ panto is suitable for all the family.
Aladdin is kindly supported by The Brooks Shopping.
