ALADDIN arrives in London’s West End! And so, with the typical Disney fanfare, Aladdin soars. Although, not my favorite of the Dysney Broadway musicals (there will never be another BEAUTY AND THE BEAST or MARY POPPINS), Aladdin has definintely done it’s job – that is brining in an ageless Disney animated feature to life on stage to the delight of young and old.
The great thing about ALADDIN, as is with most Disney stage productions, is the appeal to both children and adults. Enough adult humor is included to keep the parents interested, while there is plenty of Disney’s signature spetical to hold the interest of even the youngest of children. That said, if you are an adult planning to attend the show unaccompanied – by children, that is. Expect to feel as though you are seated in a primary school auditorium. That is just the nautre of the beast. After all, ALADDIN is (at least in the Disney version) a children’s show. And a children’s show it will always be. If you allow yourself to move beyond being surrounded by children under the age of 12, you will find yourself whisked away into a whole new world just as a child.
Wonderful performances were given by Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen as Aladdin and his romantic interest, Jasmine. With solid vocals and good chemistry on stage, the two pull off exactly what we go into the show expecting. They bring our two main characters to life.
Aside from the spectacular and magic, my favorite parts of the show were actually the simplest. I love Genie. Played by Trevor Dion Nicholas, who was the standby for Ginie on Broadway, the character is brought to life to the delight of every grown up in the audience. He is definitely the comedian and power-performer of the show. And Aladan’s sidekicks, Babkak, Omar and Kassim also seem to have jumped from the animation onto the stage, giving us the cartoonish quality that we are expecting.
We musn’t forget Jafar and Iago, Aladdin’s villain and his sidekick. Delightfully portrayed by Don Gallagher and Peter Howe, they provide plenty of fodder as well as the opportunity for the kids to give a well-deserved “boo” during the curtain call.
All-in-all, ALADDIN is a very solid production, and pretty much everything that you would expect from Disney – except for a few technicalities that I would have thought might have been a bit more perfected (Genie’s appearance from his lamp). You will definitely be delighted.
Don’t waste your time trying to obtain discounted tickets for this show. There are literally none to be had. Also, stay away from the ticket touts in and around Leister Square, as you will certainly pay at least double the ticket price for what you could obtain at the theatre box office with just a bit of planning.
Aladdin is currently running at the Prince Edward Theater in London’s West End. For information and to purchase tickets, visit the theatre’s website at http://www.princeedwardtheatre.co.uk.
