Aladdin – Review – Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
By Elizabeth Stanforth-Sharpe, December 2024
The sparkly light wands and glittering crowns are selling like hotcakes. A carpet is preparing to fly. The children are bellowing ‘Boo! Boo!’ at the evil magician, whose one weakness is jelly, and the little ones, already in their pyjamas, are trying with all their might to keep drooping eyelids focused on the magic.
Alex Weatherhill’s fabulous musical arrangements have the auditorium boogying and clapping with a genie who wants to be a pop star, and even the most hardened of newspaper hacks is seen beating out a one-handed, barely there, rhythm under the cover of dimmed lights. Helen Coyston’s gorgeous costumes have us all gasping.
It can all mean only one thing. The brilliant creative team that brought us the award-nominated Beauty and the Beast last year is back at Stephen Joseph Theatre for another stunning Christmas show. And what a treat it is.
“Never-ending energy”
Aladdin is pure hearted, community focused, spirited storytelling that involves everybody, revives a traditional tale, and does it with exceptional style and pzazz.
Adapted by Nick Lane, he knows ‘Scarbaresia’ well. He knows all about Hairy Bob’s cave, ‘Seaside’ Danny Wilde, and Boyes’ store, and weaving those threads of local knowledge gives us an ownership of the tale that is unique and personal, but there’s also enough of the Scheherazade original to be inclusive of all who visit.
The company of five – David Ahmad, Jessica Dennis, Matthew Koon, Carl Patrick, and Ash Weir – are a power-packed quintet, oozing with charismatic charm, seemingly never-ending energy, and impeccable timing. Every one of them is on stage almost continually, playing different characters, executing physically demanding routines, and never once dropping the ball. They are all truly brilliant.
Sarah Hughes never puts a step wrong in her casting choices for SJT. Across this company we have actors who have worked at the National, the RSC, the West End, the English Opera, the English National Ballet, and the Musical Comedy awards. They are actors with serious clout, and every ounce of that experience is utilised.
“Glittering”
But I’ve already said too much. I don’t want to give away one more lamp-rubbing, wish-making moment. Go. Go. Go. Be a part of the enchantment, the celebration, the utter joy of it all, for yourselves. You won’t find a better way of conjuring up the Christmas spirit.
This is all-age theatre that is on a par with the very best that specialist London young-audience theatres can present, and Stephen Joseph Theatre can be mightily proud that they are producing work of this calibre right here in North Yorkshire. We are so privileged.
Aladdin is another award worthy production for Stephen Joseph Theatre. Glittering crowns and sparkling light wands will get forgotten, but theatrical experiences of this standard are a gift that will linger in a child’s heart long after the festive decorations have been packed away.
Aladdin runs at Stephen Joseph Theatre until December 28th, 2024
