Theatre review by MAISIE MILWARD
The full cast’s final bow (Photo credits, Maisie Milward).
With Kernow Christmas approaching—saffron buns baking and Boxing Day swims ahead—writing duo Edward Rowe (aka Kernow King) and Richard Healey have added plenty of Cornwall magic to Aladdin.
This year’s Hall for Cornwall panto showers us with tinsel, water pistols and delight for all ages. Roaring innuendoes for the adults combine with loads of family fun and spectacle, with laughs led by Widow Twerkey (Rowe) and her able sidekick Willy Washaway (Gareth Cooper).
When the curtains open, we are greeted by renditions of pop hits like Jessie J’s Domino and even a remix of Waterloo by ABBA for Widow Twerkey’s love-at-first-sight in the audience (congratulations, Jamie from St Agnes!).
The opening scene or two are a little sluggish at times but soon things liven up when we meet the villain, Aberzennor (Sara Markland), as well as Aladdin (Alexander Jude) and Jasmine (Jasmine Cole), whose plight quickly steals the audience’s hearts. Their vocal range and chemistry shines through.
Things really get moving with a comedically out-of-place ‘he’s behind you’ from a smirking Rowe, whose range of eye-catching costumes includes what seems to be a homage to Vicky Pollard from TV show Little Britain. Twerkey and Willy keep the jokes coming fast.
The first half peaks with a spectacular scene of a ship at sea which would have graced a production of The Tempest. A lively rendition of Cornish anthem Trelawney fuelled the emotional drama.
No pace issues in the second half. A hunt for gold and lamps, water guns splashing the audience, a starring role for some saffron buns and much more – the frantic fun and drama accelerate brilliantly to our happy ending.
As with previous Hall for Cornwall pantos, this year’s show is a winning combination of great casting, slick production and a script packed with Cornwall-themed gags – reminding us it really is ‘ours’.
This story is one of five reviews of Aladdin, find the other stories here:
Tia Boddey: Twerking, pasties, and magic: Aladdin delivers laughs at Hall for Cornwall
Katie Winsor: Say goodbye to 2025 on a magic carpet ride
Maisie Milward: Cornish magic sprinkled over an unmissable Aladdin
Marla Payne: Aladdin: You’re in for a treat
Fleur Rogerson: Kernow King reigns true in Hall for Cornwall’s unmissable Aladdin