Aladdin review, Lyric Hammersmith

Aladdin. Couldn't stand him; but when you're having a good time in the far east, or even the near west, small irritants get lost in the blur of jokes and silliness and - get this - a flying carpet scene that rivals Disney. Yes, Aladdin and Karen (don't ask) float magically overhead to the ensemble singing Take That's Rule the World. Heaven.

Magic rubbers

The carpet is a glorious, wonder-filled moment in an otherwise rough and tumble, eccentric take on the old story, narrated by someone who sounds like the voice of The X Factor. Steve Marmion has crept across from Soho Theatre to co-write (with Joel Horwood and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm) and direct, and has produced something far superior to last year's fair-to-middling Dick Whittington. 

Dick (Steve Webb) returns as Wishy-Washy - a stuffed monkey who mimics all, and the only stuffed animal not lobbed into the wings by the vexed emperor. Shaun Prendergast reprises his Widow Twankey, relishing and embellishing his lines as the gravelly, pink-haired seductress who improves her mood by sitting on washing machines.  Simon Kunz as Abanazer is a real creep and Dominque Moore sings beautifully as Karen. Sophia Nomvete fizzes as purple haired Ringo. 

In conclusion: The joy of good panto - and this is great panto - is that the kids are shouting their heads off even as the jokes are going over them. There's one about herbs in the eyes that's a cracker. Oh no it isn't. OH YES IT IS! 

References

Lyric Hammersmith, buy tickets

Matt Trueman in The Guardian, on the perfect panto