The Andover Advertiser, news, sport and features from the pages of your favourite local newspaper

Review: Aladdin: The Proper Pantomime Company, The Anvil, Basingstoke

From the archive, first published Monday 16th Dec 2002.

THIS glittering panto sets out unashamedly to entertain in traditional style, and succeeds brilliantly.

"Bad dude" Abanaza (Stephen Paget) was boo-ed in ear-splitting crescendos and the children hollered at the riotous Widow Twankey (co-writer Christopher Lillicrap), who appeared in ever-more outrageous garbs, and at Wishee Washee (Richard Earl), both of whom also had something topical for the parents.

The audience participation reached fever pitch when everyone learnt "to swim like a goldfish".

Sparkling in the title role, Toyah Willcox endeared herself to young and old alike. Her 25 years in show business, have led her from 80s musical fame through a diverse range of roles on stage and screen including the BBC's Barmy Aunt Boomerang and the Teletubbies.

Perhaps Lou-Lou the Giant Panda is not quite strictly traditional, nor the youthful Flying Squad, but the audience adored them all.

The show is a lively, colourful, dazzlingly-costumed extravaganza, which will keep everyone buzzing in the festive season.

Archive Home