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Michael Cox reviews 'a bright production that's a lot of fun'.
Qdos had the brave notion a few years back of getting into the Glasgow Christmas show market—a city that already had a wide variety of choice. They took on the competition with the star casting of John Barrowman and The Krankies—a team that managed to rock the SECC for a few years (with varying levels of success).
And here comes a new production of Aladdin. Barrowman and the Krankies are gone, but the big production values and large-scale musical numbers are still intact. There is no denying the fact: this is an all-singing, all-dancing musical spectacular that’s impressive from start to finish.
And there is much to enjoy from the cast. Iain Stuart Robertson is a hoot as dame Widow Twankey, Michael Colbourne makes for a dashing and fun Aladdin and Frances Mayli McCann makes the Princess a feisty woman who’s happy to take charge of her destiny. There’s also an impressive (if slightly overlong) routine by The Acromaniacs with their jumping and trampoline antics.
But the big pull to this production is the top billing of local talents Marti Pellow and Johnny Mac. Mac looks like he is genuinely enjoying himself onstage: his Wishee Washee is a bundle of cheeky energy who gets many of the production’s biggest laughs. Pellow, thankfully, isn’t just stunt casting: unlike last year’s David Hasselhoff, Pellow can actually act. He might not be the most threatening Abanazar Scotland’s seen but he has terrific stage presence: he sings (unsurprisingly) well and has fun in some of the bigger shenanigans that happen throughout the performance.
Mixing musical theatre and classic panto tomfoolery, Aladdin might come with a hefty ticket price but succeeds in being a bright production that’s a lot of fun. You probably will be echoing Mac’s ‘I’m enjoying myself’ catchphrase throughout.
Performs at the SECC until December 31, 2016.
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