Review: Aladdin at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea

Following the success of last year’s panto; the Cliffs Pavilion yet again failed to disappoint with their production of Aladdin.

The performance was a joy to experience from seeing handkerchiefs transforming into real-life doves to the exquisite backdrop and bedazzling costumes. For a panto, the storyline swayed away from the tale we know and love a little too often, but was for the most part a wonderful depiction accompanied by an array of fitting musical numbers.

Carly Day as Princess Jasmine and Busola Peters as the Genie possessed the strongest vocals of the night followed by the juveniles played by Masters Performing Arts College and the ensemble who contributed excellent backing vocals and energetic dance routines. The choreography, courtesy of David Leighton was sublime while the lighting and effects were second to none.

The added entertainment including the mind-blowing magical tricks by Phil Hitchcock as the Emperor were a pleasantly surprising addition to the show as were the spectacular somersaults performed by The Denvey Troupe.

Shane Richie as Aladdin often wavered from the intended storyline what with his inevitable – at times arrogant – EastEnders references, and it was unsettling to see a character widely known as a young boy presented as a “45 year old man still living with his mother”. Nonetheless, Richie won the hearts of the audience with his witty banter and endearing warmth consistent from his arrival behind the audience right up until his happy ending. His undeniable chemistry with Chief of Police/Prime Minister Peter Piper was clearly as enjoyable for them as it was for us while Barry Bloxham as villain Abanazar was convincing and mesmerising, deserving every boo and hiss throughout the show and round of applause at the end.