PMA Productions Ltd Quality, Dynamic, THeatre, Film & talent

Published Thursday 8 January 2009 at 11:45 by Kevin Berry

Here come the dancing girls and now an elephant plods into view. What a magnificent creature, everyone agrees. Is she the first ever pantomime elephant? Perhaps she will start a trend.

This PMA production of Aladdin, already seen at Cannock and at Oswaldtwistle, is a visual and comic treat. Familiar songs are made part of the narrative and the cast contains many fine singers. They include ex-Strangler Paul Roberts and Hayley Ellis, who plays the princess.

Sophie Adams, as Aladdin, is a pantomime first-timer, which is difficult to believe. As is Griff Jameson, who plays an animated Genie and Sergeant Pong. What a discovery he is - an exciting mix of talent and purposeful enthusiasm, a born panto player.

There are many good sketches to enjoy, both traditional and new, and it is a real pleasure to experience a new tongue twister routine.

The comedy is wild and exuberant and is played very much in the freewheeling, irreverent manner of a Marx Brothers romp. As a consequence, the story line does occasionally puzzle, but that does not affect enjoyment.

The running time is rather long, it must be said. Although choosing something to cut from this feast of fun would be a mighty difficult task

 

This is Lancashire (Newsquest):

By Jennifer Brown

AFTER last year's hugely enjoyable Jack and the Beanstalk my children were eager for another afternoon of family fun at Colne.

Once again written, directed and starring local favourite George Critchley, this year's offering was set in a Chinese laundrette.

George Critchley was excellent as Wacky Wishee Washee, engaging children and adults alike with panto banter. From his trademark 'Hiya Kids', to dressing as Sportacus from Children's TV hit Lazy Town, he had all the audience up and dancing.

Widow Twankey (Keith De'Winter) was amusing and suitably saucy while her son Aladdin (Sophie Adams) was the thigh-smacking and gung-ho young hero, a perfect match for his love interest, the lovely Princess Yasmin (Hayley Ellis).

Former lead singer of The Stranglers, Paul Roberts, starred as Emperor Ming of Peking, father of Princess Yasmin. Strangler's fans would recognise his 'Golden Brown' hit played whenever he appeared on stage.

My three year old daughter loved glamorous 'Slave of the Ring' (Victoria Gavin) who scooted around on rollerskates.

She was also in awe of the huge colourful elephant that plodded down the aisles during the performance.

We also immensely enjoyed the camp blue Genie (Griff Jameson) who also played Sergeant Pong the Policeman.

And it was great to see local children performing in the show as they too added the touch of glamour that every panto needs.

Luckily this year the bad guy - Abanazer of Agrabah - (Stephen Donald of Brookside) was more comic than bad, so no nightmares there, although his make up and wig did remind us of wrestler Jeff Hardy.

Act One lasted over an hour and a quarter and a rousing Queen-esque medley of 'We Will Wash You' and 'We Are The Twankeys' launched us into Act Two, with plenty more foot tapping music to come.

Great value for money and a long-lasting afternoon of family fun at The Muni."

 

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