Reviewed by Debbie Lowndes
Wow, wow, wow what a truly amazing pantomime! The directors and cast of this pantomime should be so proud. This panto is right up there as being the best one which I have ever seen. It is a must see for the festive season. So be sure to get your family and friends along to it. They will not be disappointed! They will be reflecting back for days and weeks after.
My family were given the opportunity to attend the Regent Theatre in Stoke to see Aladdin on the opening night. It was a full house, after watching I know why! It is the best performance we have seen for a long long time. I cannot speak highly enough of the performance and I could not fault it at all.
The directors did a top job when putting this together. The 3D effects were out of this world and truly mesmerising. 3D effects were many, they appear within both halves. Children are reaching out within the audience trying to grab the 3D effects. It was an out of the work production. Stoke should be very proud. Having travelled from Derby and seen many pantos in our time, I have to say this is the best within the area and Jonathan Wilkes and Christian Patterson never ever disappoint. We came to Stoke last year to watch the panto and was impressed then, but this year was another level – well done to all. The jokes created proper belly laughs throughout the audience. Everyone was in stitches and having fun – young and old. There were local jokes in relation to the areas surrounding Stoke which the audience appeared to love.
Without giving to much away, the flying carpet scenes had you on the edge of your seat in amazement. Believe me, it will be hard for others to match the standard of this panto. Well worth the money. The dancers are part of the Wilkes Academy and the quality of their dancing was top notch. Aerials and back flips a many. My 17-year-old daughter is a dancer and she commented on the standard. She even said, ‘Mum I would love to go to that academy!’ She was that impressed. The costumes are very glitzy and glamourous. Songs were a many, the sing along with the audience was so funny. Even when the young children came on stage from the audience, it was comical.
Jonathan Wilkes took on the lead role is Aladdin and Christian was his sidekick mother Widow Twankey. They are the ultimate double act, continuously bouncing off one another.
One of my favourite scenes was the one featuring shrunken Aladdin and the song about different jobs ‘who else I’d rather be’. This is sure to have you laughing at them and along with them!
The other cast members were Kai Owen who played baddie Abanazar. The beautiful Princess Jasmine played by Yasmin Wood and the roller-skating Scheherazade played by Amanda Coutts.
The end finale was great with the brightly coloured fireworks and party poppers from the ceiling. The final song saw the audience on their feet clapping a singing along. A true party atmosphere.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £11 to £44 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Aladdin is at the Regent Theatre in Stoke from 15 December 2017 to 7 January 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/regent-theatre or call the box office on 0844 871 7649.
Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 1AP | 0844 871 7649
