THE tickets for Aladdin were kindly provided by The Opera House Manchester as part of Have A Lovely Time's 'Great Panto Review 2009, which means I'm donating to NACCPO and supporting a nationwide effort to raise funds for this amazingly hardworking charity which provides vital support to families of children with cancer.
AS we set off for the Great Panto Review of Aladdin at the Opera House in Manchester, questions flew at me thick and fast from the super excited children in the back of the car, and I suddenly realised that apart from the genie in the lamp, to my shame I don't actually recall the story of Aladdin!
And that the last time I went to a pantomime I was dressed in a Brownie uniform clutching a 1/4lb bag of midget gems…
Talking of Brownies… coach upon coach of sweet laden, glow-stick bearing children poured in, as we settle comfortably into our fantastic seats (thanks Opera House).
The show opened with Abanazar (Gray O'Brien) – otherwise known as the menacing Tony Gordon from Coronation Street - to a rapturous crowd, booing and hissing aplenty.
He played a magnificent baddie and the children adored jeering him.
Abanazer was quickly followed by a first appearance of Aladdin (Chris Fountain) entering to a show-stopping whoop of appreciation from the female audience members.
Glimpses of bare chest were equally wolf whistled and applauded, in fact Aladdin's presence created much the same audience reaction throughout the evening especially when kissing Princess Jasmine.
The fabulous Widow Twanky was the ultimate and perfect pantomime dame and both 'she' and Wishy Washy were brilliantly funny with one liners and harmless innuendo tripping off the tongue, with great appeal to the adults amongst us.
Yet their comic appearance, outrageous dresses, funny voices, gestures and mannerisms raised huge choruses of belly chuckles and raucous laughter with the children.
My children particularly favoured the the ballet dancing with balloons routine.
The little girls, especially mine were more than entranced with Princess Jasmine's, lovely sweet princess performance with sparkly costumes and 'real' crowns.
Equally sparkly was the Genie of the Ring, Sue Devaney, who performed the whole show in a true northern accent much to the delight of the crowd.
There was a great mix of songs, which the audience enthusiastically joined in with: Working Nine to Five, Could it be Magic, Money, Money, Money and more.
And there was plenty of comedy references to Manchester, Coronation Street, local football clubs - all raising hearty laughs from the grown-ups and lovely laughs from the children.
There was some real pantomime magic of Aladdin's flying carpet ride, which for the younger audience members was breathtaking. This wowed my daughter who then declared it was: "Absolutely definitely real magic flying.”
With the excitement of the pantomime and the attendance of some of the Coronation Street and Hollyoaks cast, the evening had a happy and exciting vibe to it.
All members of the pantomime really worked the audience having them singing, clapping, joining with shouts and cheers.
Sweets were thrown to the children and mixed with indoor pyrotechnics every time the genies appeared and the brilliantly sparkly and humorous costumes all added up to a great time being had by all.
My children, aged four and six, thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
They didn't get all the jokes, but were more than content with the whole magic of the pantomime experience.
It was a great show and was suitable for all ages to enjoy and participate in.
We shouted "boo", hissed, clapped, erupted into chants of “He's behind you” and “Oh yes he is, Oh no he isn't,” joined in singalongs and danced and cheered ourselves into exhaustion.
This pantomime makes a brilliantly enjoyable addition to any family's Christmas season.
It's highly and excitedly recommended by my two giggling little giddy kippers!
If you've enjoyed this review post, please make just any donation you can and help support the amazing work the NACCPO charity carry out, you can easily donate by heading over to the Just Giving page.
Fact Box
The show is on at the Opera House Manchester, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP and runs until January 3, 2010.
Family tickets available: £19.25/seat (for 3-6 people, maximum of 2 adults) cheaper tickets in the gallery available from £11.60 upwards
Visit the website for further details
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