Review: Aladdin, the Pantomime at York Theatre Royal

04/01/2025

Annie Woodiwiss and Naomi Marques Wiggin review York Theatre Royal's Yuletide Special!

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Image by SR Taylor Photography

By Annie Woodiwiss and Naomi Marques Wiggin

York Theatre Royal is currently showcasing the pantomime Aladdin, which will run until 5th January 2025 and celebrates the theatre’s fifth collaboration with award-winning Evolution Productions. The witty and cheerful script is set within York Shambles and is full of jokes for the whole family, lighthearted quibbles about the difficulties (and price!) of York’s parking and the chaos of the Shambles during the Christmas period.

The pantomime follows Aladdin (Sario Solomon) and Princess Jasmine (Emily Tang) as they navigate their romance under the watchful, yet hilarious, eye of PC World (Rowan Armitt - Brewster). Aladdin is joined by his brother, Charlie (Tommy Carmichael), and mother, Dame Dolly (Robin Simpson), who work in a joke shop. The cast also includes the incredibly talented Evie Pickerill, Paul Hawkyard and an ensemble of Emily Taylor, Kyle Jermain, Aimee Lorenza Boyd, Chris Morgan Shillingford and Charlotte Rose O’Sullivan.

Dolly’s relentless jesting - alongside her repertoire of costumes - makes for a hilarious and loveable character. Her search and engagement for a love interest within the front row of the audience had guests roaring, with the audience member appearing onstage to participate in the story-telling.

The gifted musical team includes musical director and director Ed Gray, Alex Faulker on the keys and guitarist Neil Morgan, with choreographer Hayley Del Harrison. They unite the theatre with classic and contemporary songs such as “Teenage Dirtbag”, “Ghostbusters” and “Common People,” all of which are performed with lively dancing from the cast onstage. Incredible staging and the use of pyrotechnics also bring the vibrant set to life. Audience members can expect to see a puppet elephant marching through Fossgate, a terrifying trapdoor scene and most impressively… Aladdin and his magical flying carpet which soars through the theatre. The performance is overflowing with an addictive energy and sense of mischief. The actors even hide between seated guests to masses of giggles as PC World and his crew of York community police officers search for Aladdin and Jasmine.

One of the most striking elements of the pantomime must be the efficiency in which the crew shift between dazzlingly engaging props and scenery while also captivating the audience with an engaging and fast-paced plot. This is achieved through their creative storytelling on-stage, such as a comic book- style action scene using ‘Pow’ and ‘Ouch’ captioned signs to bring the fighting to life.

The two and a half hour show also includes an interval, as well as the opportunity for the cast to deliver ‘Happy Birthday’ shoutouts and commemorations to the audience and crew towards the end of the performance. The panto ends with an entertaining and vibrant wedding scene which encourages the audience to stand up and dance to “Freed from Desire” while sending off the talented cast. Without a doubt, this production of Aladdin is the perfect agglomeration of comedic folly, family-fun and festive comfort. Writer Paul Hendy and director Juliet Forster magically create a warm and enchanting atmosphere, providing their audience with an invaluable sense of joy and energy while reminding them of the talent of creativity and theatre.