Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society’s production of Aladdin - ‘A wonderful night out’.
Review by ‘I G’
Some traditions are collective experiences that bring alive our childlike sense of wonder at this special time of year.
Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society has been serving up seasonal crowd-pleasing pantomimes since 1945. This year is no exception with ‘Aladdin’, written and directed by EADS stalwart Amanda Craib.
A willing crowd were swept into a familiar tale of (North) Eastern promise with scenes set, not in the Orient, but in Buckie which provided some early laughs.
I tried to take notes while watching but found myself so caught up in the classic tale I’ve had to rely on memory. Apologies if I have misremembered or left anyone out!
We were first introduced to Wishi, confidently played by an energetic Ada Carmichael, who enthusiastically initiated the audience participation.
The villainous Abanazzar, played with fruity relish by Milky Milkinson, then milked the crowd for boos and hisses, receiving them with evil and scornful laughter. This pompous baddie was assisted (or should that be hampered) by two bungling sidekicks, Fox and Bella, ably portrayed by Katie Rodway Swanson and Amora Nunag.
Abanazzar also has in his power the likeably dippy Genie of The Ring, played with a believable innocence by a magical Adrienne Lean.
The action shifted to a small village, where we meet the well-meaning Aladdin, played by Kim Mcintyre with charm and a natural humour, who helps his mother in Scrubbers, the local launderette.
There is nothing like a dame, they say. Triumphantly returning to the stage, Elgin loon Ben Mortimer held the audience in the palm of his manicured hand, mixing high camp, low humour, glamour and giggles in best traditional style.
As Widow Twanky (the widow of Frankie Twanky, who as we all know was lanky), Mortimer got some of the biggest laughs and is up there with the professionals. On the night I saw him he picked on an unfortunate gentleman wearing a Spiderman jumper and quickly pulled him into his own web of sassy ad-libs, much to the horrified delight of the man’s young son.
Making things look easy is hard and full credit to Ben for pulling it off.
The patrician Emperor, a noble but stuffy Lindsay Knight, orders Jasmine not to remove her veil. However the princess, fully realised by a feisty and determined Lee Whitely, ignores these instructions. Briefly left alone in the village, she catches the love-struck eye of Aladdin.
Wishi, the hero’s brother, is meanwhile haplessly lovestruck by Lily, the Princess’ beautiful handmaiden, captured well by a very capable and talented Gemma Thomas.
The final piece of this magical puzzle was found in the impressive ‘Cave of Wonders’, where a dusty old lamp contains the sparkling and jewel-encrusted Genie of the Lamp, delightfully played by an ebullient Leslie Oman in spectacular make-up and costume.
So the scene was set with magic, love, laughs, heroes and villains. The basic ingredients for any panto. But the chef’s kiss were the song and dance routines.
The band, conducted by the extremely talented Angus Hull, unobtrusively provided the backing to the full-throated singing, seamlessly propelling on the action.
Special credit should be paid to the chorus whose hard work was certainly on show as they danced and sung their hearts out. They appeared to be having as much fun as the audience.
Finally, costume and make-up were marvellous, with the dame’s laundry outfit much appreciated by my party.
Ending with a joyous rendition of ‘Christmas Song’ there was no better way to herald the arrival of the Yuletide season. All in all a wonderful night out. Congratulations to all involved.