It’s Panto time! Aladdin at Richmond Theatre with Christopher Biggins

KimT's London for Kids Blog

Nothing ignites the Christmas spirit quite like good old-fashioned, audience participation at a pantomime.

This year’s offering has something for everyone – toned energetic young dancers, corny jokes, popular songs, glitzy outfits, mirror balls, sword fights, sly digs at neighbouring towns, sweet children and lots and lots of shouting (from the audience). Especially at the baddie Abanazar (played by Bob Harms),

There was an array of special effects including pyrotechnics, bubbles, strobe lighting and explosions of glittery ticker-tapes and silver streamers.

Children were delighted at the giant animatronic blue genie, a dancing dragon and a pantomime elephant. And we were all truly amazed at the magical flying carpet. We all laughed at strange dancing panda that made a brief appearance too.

There was comedy and romance and drama. It was bouncy and upbeat. And larger-than-life Christopher Biggins (Widow Twankey) had wonderful costumes – cherries, flower pots, a Chinese vase, baby doll and even a mummy. Wishee Washee (Rikki Jay) was another highlight with his slapstick comedy – which reached real heights with Twankey, Emperor Ming and the genie of the ring during a performance “If I were not upon the stage”.

Brave Patrick of Whitton from the audience was enlisted to join the laundry workers on the stage. Later on four wonderful five and six year old children introduced themselves and joined in the performance by playing a triangle, a tambourine, a drum and even a trombone. Fabulous.

We left the show with a smile.

Aladdin runs from 7pm until 930pm and is on until Sunday 14th January.

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/aladdin/richmond-theatre/

Posted Date
Dec 14, 2017 in KimT's London for Kids Blog by KimT