Review of Regent Theatre panto Aladdin

Dec 28 2011 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

DEPARTING from a tried and trusted formula was bound to be a gamble for the Regent Theatre in this year’s panto Aladdin.

With the arrival of a new production team, Pele Productions, and the absence of hometown hero Jonathan Wilkes, the big question was how a fiercely partisan crowd would adapt.

The answer is, perhaps not as well as they might have liked.

There are many things to like about the show, with star Joe Swash always drawing a cheer, while the show is crammed full of toe-tapping pop numbers, both classic and bang up to date.

Other standout performers include Nicholas Mai as Abanazer, and the genie – bizarrely omitted from the cast list – feels vastly underused, such was his quality.

And the spectacular dancing from the male ensemble in particular is also worthy of mention.

But nevertheless there was something missing.

With a cast of mainly Scousers and southerners, local jokes seemed nothing more than token gestures, and a rigid sticking to script meant too few genuine laugh out loud moments.

In another theatre, it could be a winner. A Potteries crowd needs to be patient with this new era.

The show runs until January 15. For tickets, priced £16.75-£25.75, call 0844 871 7649.