Aladdin (UK Tour)
(Review Complete)
"A night of magic and fantasy"
Review
Gorgeous sets, sumptuous, Jewelled costumes and fantastic effects were on display in Aladdin at Milton Keynes Theatre this week!
The show has been brilliantly adapted from the original Disney cartoon with some changes that bring extra humour and some lovely new songs. My favourite change by far was the introduction of three new characters, Aladdin’s three friends, Babkak, Omar and Kassim, played by Nelson Bettencourt, Adam Taylor and Nay-Nay respectively.
They were very funny and their choreographed dance/sword fight with the palace guards was a highlight. But everyone else was absolutely right too - Gavin Adams was a handsome, athletic Aladdin with a lovely voice, Desdmonda Cathabel was a beautiful, feisty Princess Jasmine, Adam Strong made a particularly evil Jafar but the biggest character of all was Yeukayi Ushe as the Genie! It’s a difficult job following Robin Williams into a major character role, albeit a cartoon role, but Yeukayi pulled it off brilliantly!
All the sets were gorgeous but when the lights came up on the Cave of Wonders there were audible gasps. There were also some great effects, particularly the flying carpet for A Whole New World which was breathtaking because there was no visible means of support for the carpet and Aladdin and Jasmine did not appear to have any visible means of staying on as it turned and swayed high above the stage!
I had my eight year old Grandson with me and the best accolade I can give this show is his comment on the way home in the car –
“That was brilliant! Can we go again tomorrow?”
Aladdin runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Sunday 19th May so there is plenty of time to book tickets, and I strongly suggest you do, as this five star show is a real treat for all ages!
Reviewers: Julia Rufey (and her Grandson).
We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.