“…An ecstatic exercise in slapstick buffoonery and daft tomfoolery – I loved every minute…”
Aladdin by Michael Harrison, Theatre Royal Newcastle
By Melina Turner-Deeks
The weather has dropped, the leaves are almost all gone and the C-word is on everyone’s lips. It’s that time of year again.
Oh no it isn’t!
Oh yes it is!
It is most definitely Panto season. What better way to see in the festive period than with a family trip to the glorious Theatre Royal in Newcastle? The street just across the road hosts a fabulous Christmas market too; teamed with a pre-panto trip to Fenwick’s window and you’ve got yourself a truly Geordie Christmas evening.
Michael Harrison’s Aladdin is unconventional to say the least, cramming in a whole host of unexpected extra characters: Mother Goose, The Wicked Witch of Wallsend and Old King Cole. Indeed, in the words of Aladdin himself, the performance had “almost nothing to do with Aladdin”. However, strangely enough, this did not detract from the pure joy and hilarity of the show (who pays attention to the storyline anyway?). Overall, the performance was filled to the brim with belly laughs and merriment – with silly bits for the kids, innuendos galore for the adults and just a little bit of audience participation.
The set and special effects were astounding (no spoilers here!). A classic proscenium arch was bedecked with purple clouds and framed with castles straight from a fairytale. The performance perfectly mashed all of the elements of every single fairytale into one, set in the Royal Kingdom of Pantomania. The show played on the tropes of the pantomime with an inward mockery that resonates distinctly with the Northern sense of humour.
A particularly special panto season for father-son duo, Danny and Clive (Danny Adams as Aladdin and Clive Webb as Father Goose), as they celebrate their 20th consecutive year performing together at the Theatre Royal. Michael Harrison is also celebrating his 20th year as producer for the Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomime. The actors show a rapport both with each other and with the audience that is only possible with such a seasoned crew. Being able to see that the actors are having such fun performing just makes the show even more enjoyable. Danny and Clive were amazing, but Mick Potts stole the show with his underwhelming and sarcastic genie.
The performance promised to be a Tyneside take on Aladdin, and it didn’t disappoint. The Geordie jokes worked wonders on the Newcastle Theatre Royal audience. Special mention to Chris Hayward who appeared to a chorus of “Hiya Hinny” whenever the pantomime dame appeared onstage – at one point sporting a full toon-army dame gown! The theme of the Local Hero featured too, as a surrounding Hurrah! for Geordies.
This pantomime had high-end panto vibes, and wowed from start to finish. The costumes were incredible (the entrance song even showcased the best costumes and props from the last two decades – keep an eye out for more than one show-stopping reptile!), the music was great, the special effects had my kids pulling their best Macaulay Culkin faces and the jokes were non-stop. An ecstatic exercise in slapstick buffoonery and daft tomfoolery – I loved every minute and can’t wait for next year!
Aladdin plays at Theatre Royal Newcastle until Sunday 18 January. Tickets are available here.
Melina Turner-Deeks is a poet and self-confessed literature nerd. She currently runs literary workshops and bookclubs in North Tyneside as The Literature Lass. When she is not baking, parenting or reading, she loves being outdoors and connecting with nature. Find her on Instagram here or Facebook here.
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