Despite obeying everyone's favourite tropes of pantomime, Suffolk theatres are doing a great job of ensuring that their festive shows each offer something a little different.
For example…
Aladdin at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft is your classic seaside panto, unapologetically including all the old jokes, slapstick and saucy delights, with just a few local and political references thrown in to keep it up to date.
And there's nothing wrong with that - they are classics for a reason and presented here by talented performers all having a great time.
Mia Longman is a Disney princess in panto form as Jasmine, with sweet singing voice and feisty determination, while Anthony Sahota is all cheeky goodness as our hero Aladdin, eager to make his fortune so he is worthy of her hand in marriage.
Enter stage left our villain of the piece, Abanazar, who seizes the opportunity to make Aladdin retrieve a magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders so he can become all powerful - boo-hiss.
Playing the baddie here is real-life magician, Nicholas Lee, who hams it up big-time (as is the tradition) and who manages to be suitably scary while still very funny, adding value with an occasional magic trick and by being rather prone to corpsing during his scenes.
And he is not alone...
Lowestoft favourite, Terry Gleed, is full of mischief as Aladdin's brother Wishee Washee, and he has various cast members giggling throughout.
Look out for the Mastermind quiz where he might have substituted naughty questions, and just count the amount of marshmallows he shoves in Jasmine's mouth (no, really, it's loads!) Marvellous!
Other great performances include Daniel Wallace (aka Anna Phylactic) as the traditional dame, Widow Twankey, and - just when you thought panto couldn't get any more camp - Strictly star, Robin Windsor, brings the joy of dance to the show as Genie of the Lamp.
All credit to the cast who were full of energy and enthusiasm, despite initially not getting much back from a reticent Lowestoft crowd on our review night.
Audience interaction is such an integral part of any pantomime, without it the show falls a little flat.
Fortunately, and perhaps fuelled by ice cream, they came back more engaged after the interval and by the time the monkey appeared they were ready to dance and scratch (that will all make sense when you see it).
Special mention must be made of the live band and clever, visually brilliant staging.
The scenery, especially for the Cave of Wonders, was spectacular and the magic carpet scene was...well...magical.
A festive treat for all ages, written and performed in the traditional style.
To paraphrase the Disney song...it's chaotic, but hey, that's panto!
Aladdin continues at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft until Monday, January 1 2024.
Tickets can be booked online or call 01502 533200.
Review by Martine Silkstone
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