Aladdin

Andre Antonio takes up the titular role.  Gone is the thigh-slapping of old, replaced by impressive contemporary dance moves and strong vocals.  He is more than matched by his side kick Princess Jasmine (Aleyna Mohanraj) whose strong portrayal of an independent girl banishes any idea of her being subservient to any man.  Sure, she doesn’t quite understand how evil her stepfather Abanazaar – played brilliantly by Andrew Pepper – is.  But there has to be some learning in every plot line doesn’t there?  Pepper, with his spot-on camp narcissist portrayal of the panto villain,  vies for star of the show with Lyric veteran (of three years) Jodie Jacobs who shines (in every sense) as the magical Genie of the Lamp.  She appears to have a trick up every sleeve and her vocals are par excellence holding the company together with not only these skills but with her excellent comic timing.

The principal line up is completed Emmanuel Akwafo as Widow Twerkey – who, as the name suggests, in no typical pantomime dame.  His trademarked bearded approach to damehood, is more frenetic slapstick than stylish, which for me becomes a little repetitive after a while.  Still the audience love him and as the show goes on his costumes improve and so does he.