Another year, another fantastic panto from Greenwich Theatre.
Writer Andrew Pollard keeps it traditional with this rollicking ‘Aladdin’. Our young hero has the hots for Princess So-Shy (Laura Wickham) but her father’s having none of it. The portly Emperor (Paul Critoph – on excellent form) is short of cash, having recently forked out ‘for the Olympics’, and only a wealthy suitor will do.
Lured into a cave by the promise of riches, Aladdin (a jaunty Adam Dougal) chances upon a magic lamp. Needless to say, many japes follow!
Leading the belly laughs is Pollard’s lusty Widow O’Twankey. Everything you want from a dame is here: cheeky innuendo for the grown-ups, fabulous comic timing and a wardrobe to make Lady Gaga swoon.
Anthony Spargo’s magnificently evil Abanazar has the kids jeering with outraged delight as he threatens to throw the lot of them in a zoo once he takes over the world, while the Genie (Daniel Norford) has sharp moves and easy charisma.
Elsewhere, a smart selection of pop boogie-alongs by Paolo Nutini, Katy Perry and others, a flying carpet, topical digs at coalition cuts and the DLR, plus a hearty dose of audience participation bringing spectacle and merriment in abundance. Tip top.