After an enforced year off for most panto’s last year, it is an absolute joy to see pantomimes back in force across the UK, proving that one of our most celebrated Christmas traditions can’t be shaken - even by a global pandemic! 

The Theatre Royal Winchester produces its own pantomime every year, shying away from the “star names” and commercial trappings and focusing on traditional panto conventions, showcasing fantastic talent and providing high quality family entertainment, and this year’s production of Aladdin doesn’t disappoint!

We all know the story Besties - set in Old Peking, Aladdin rises from poverty by rescuing a magic lamp from a cave, thwarts the evil Abanazer and marries a Princess, supported by his widowed mother, hapless brother, and a few magical friends.

Aladdin and Jasmine (Libby Gore and Rosie Coles respectively) are compelling as the young couple who seem fated not to be together - but of course live happily ever after! It is refreshing to see a production that still makes use of a Principal Boy, a convention that many pantomimes seem to be moving away from, and which Gore plays with great charm and humour.

Ben Tolley, a newcomer to the Winchester pantomime scene, has the audience boo-ing him within minutes of his entry as Abanazer, and seems to have a natural talent at playing the villain. The delightfully daft character of Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee is played by Ed Thorpe, who leads the audience through the song sheet in Act 2 with well practised ease and lots of cheeky asides! 

It is Julian Eardley as Widow Twankey however, who gets the most laughs from the audience, with crazy costumes, hilarious double entendre’s and excellent comic timing. Along with many laughs, the captivated audience also get to enjoy plenty of participation - is it really Christmas until you have shouted “it’s behind you!” until you are hoarse? 

This incredibly well written show by James Barry contains pretty much everything you can hope for from a family pantomime and is clearly enjoyed by the very young to more mature audience members. It is a shame that there is no live band or child cast, and while these are understandable measures to take during these Covid times, it does feel as if there is something missing. There are a few jokes that wear a little thin by the final curtain, including Police Sergeant “Poo” and his panda sidekick “Peepee”, whose names are shoehorned into the script far more times than is necessary. 

The production values of the piece are good, the lighting design by Tom Callaghan works wonders at enhancing the relatively simple set, and adding vibrancy to the musical numbers. The Theatre Royal Winchester have produced a thoroughly enjoyable family pantomime, which will undoubtedly entertain and delight its audiences this festive season.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Brown

Aladdin runs until 2 January 2022, with tickets available here.