Aladdin
★★★☆☆ Olde gold
Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre: Wed 4 – Sat 7 Dec 2024
Review by Sophie Good
There’s some vintage panto magic happening at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre this week, as St Serf’s Players stage Aladdin written by Norman Robbins and directed by Jack Paterson.
This is St Serf’s Players 40th Pantomime – and they even have three generations from the same family taking the stage. The cast is also joined by a troupe of Brownies who play a selection of handmaidens, villagers and guards as well as bringing the musical numbers to life.
Camden Moroney-Smith (Princess Badrouldbador) and Fredericka Morrison (Aladdin) Pic: Trevor Garlick
Robbins’ script takes the time-honoured route of Aladdin plot lines. Fredericka Morrison plays the title role, with Lee Shedden as Widow Twanky, Aladdin’s mother. The pair have a great chemistry and bring a steady hand as long-standing members of the Players.
Abanazer, the perennial baddy of the piece is played with properly dark panto-villain quality by Glen Sutherland along with the ethereal Slave of the Ring played in this performance by Amber Skelton.
The fun and games really get going when Wishee Washee (Rona Arnott) comes on the scene and we get to enjoy the classic panto capers. Arnott has a natural affinity with her audience, especially its younger audience members who absolutely get involved with her ‘Hiya Wishee’. The physical comedy of Wishee falling into the washing machine is pure slapstick and a joy to watch.
instantly in love
The classic panto cast is completed with Princess Badrouldbador (Camden Moroney-Smith) and her lady in waiting So-Shy (Rita Raven). The Princess falls instantly in love with our Aladdin much to the chagrin of the protective Emperor Chow Mein (Gillian Scott).
Glen Sutherland as Abanazer. Pic: Trevor Garlick
The story feels like it could get to the critical cave-and-lamp scene a bit sooner, but there is still plenty to enjoy along the way. One of the highlights is the simple practical joke which involves a £5 bet and sees most of the main characters winning or losing some money. And of course, what classic panto would be complete without a ghost and shrieks from the audience of ‘He’s behind you’.
Glen Liddall is a somewhat stony faced Genie of the Lamp, with a smaller less comedic part than is seen in other versions. Andrew Henderson brings in some energy and lightness with his Grand Vizier.
Some of the song and dance numbers work better than others, but Morrison’s Aladdin ably holds things together and brings a lovely calm and bright nature to a character who is often portrayed as a grumpy teenager.
enjoyable production
St Serf’s Players are not reinventing anything, nor do they need to, given their 40 year history – but it’s a thoroughly enjoyable production and a fun experience of this perennially popular art form. Sometimes the old ones really are the best.
Despite the running time of over two hours our young reviewer was transfixed from start to finish, got involved and left happy. Enough said.
Running time: Two hours and 10 minutes (including one interval)
Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre, 1a Clark Road, EH5 3BD.
Wed 4 – Sat 7 Dec 2024
Wed – Fri: 7.30pm; Sat: 2pm & 6.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
The Cast of St Serf’s Players’ Aladdin. Pic: Trevor Garlick
ENDS
