Details
Venue: The New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG
Dates: 8th December - 6th January
Tickets: £16.90 > www.atgtickets.com
This year at New Wimbledon Theatre, it will be showing another fun-loving traditional family panto, Aladdin. Boasting an incredible star-studded line up with Have I Got News For You panellist, comedian and presenter Paul Merton, who will be making his panto debut as he leads the cast in this year’s high-flying pantomime as Widow Twankey.
Joined by Blue singer and actor, Lee Ryan as Aladdin and magician Pete Firman who will be on hand to spread a little magic over SW19 and help Aladdin overcome the evil Abanazar. Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, this year’s show is a real treat for the whole family to enjoy and treasure.
Our Verdict
The outside of the New Wimbledon Theatre is a blaze of twinkling lights, heralding the arrival of this year’s festive spectacular, Aladdin. Yes for four weeks this corner of south-west London is being transformed into Olde Peking, home of impoverished laundress Widow Twanky and her two hapless sons, Aladdin and Wishee Washee.
The show gets off to a noisy start as the crowd boos bad boy Abanazar as he announces his evil plan to track down Aladdin and force him to carry out his dirty work. Meanwhile, back in Peking the Twankey family is awaiting a glimpse of the beautiful Princess Jasmine as she strolls through the town. Aladdin and Wishee are both in love with the royal but it is Aladdin who catches her eye.
Magician Pete Firman is outstanding as loveable loser Wishee Washee – his rapport with the audience is instant and the crowd responds with gusto every time he appears. Paul Merton – making his panto debut - as his mum Widow Twanky takes on the mantle of a classic dame, whose warmth builds as the show goes on. His scenes with Firman are a production highlight and the pair’s delivery of the panto staple “Who, What, I Don’t Know” address sketch offers a lesson in comic timing and brings the house down.
Unfortunately, the final big-name performer, the former Blue singer turned reality show contestant Lee Ryan, didn’t really live up to expectations. He seemed to be struggling to remember his (very few) lines and his dance moves served only as a reminder as to why he was booted off Strictly Come Dancing so early. Even his singing – which presumably was meant to be his strong point – was more miss than hit. Still, by the second half slapstick comedy routine, he seemed to have relaxed and looked like he was finally having a good time.
The starry cast did well to compete with the high-tech set – which boasted a flying carpet, a life-size elephant and two sections of 3D trickery (glasses are supplied) that had the crowd screaming with delight on first sight of the Genie and then with terror as the auditorium was overrun with spiders, dragons and rats.
All in all, this is a fabulous, family show with just the right mix of old and new to keep all ages enthralled. Merton and Firman are true pros and I would think the riffs will only grow as the show hits its stride.