Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp - Nottingham Arts Theatre - 10th to 18th December 2011

Directed and Choreographed by Ed Stirland-Jones

Musically Directed by David Hails

This was a very good traditional pantomime. Ed Stirland-Jones made full use of the facilities and storyline to produce a great visual presentation (including the proscenium arch), with plenty of good positioning and movement.

David Hails provided a good choice of musical moments all well prepared and performed in the pit and on the stage.

The very talented cast were led with a great performance from Tom Keeling (Aladdin) and a super all round performance from Kimberly Brook (Princess So-Shi), she was acting every moment on stage.

Plenty of comedy as expected, especially from Chris Bailey-Stonall and Michael Pearson, very well cast as Widow Twankey and Wishee Washee and also fine performances from the Slaves of the lamp, Sophie Jude, Victoria Shaw and Joanna Hayes.

All the remaining cast and chorus performed well and added to the success of the production. There was lovely choreography and dance, and that certainly includes the younger members of the cast. Nice sets, costumes and lighting all helped the presentation, and good back stage work kept the show momentum. The diction was excellent, well done the voice coaches. It was good to see plenty in the audience and they certainly enjoyed the evening from their response at the end.

Phil Williams - NODA