Panto magic has audience in its spell in a milestone year

THEY had promised us Aladdin as never seen before and certainly nobody in the audience at the Theatre Royal could have expected anything quite like what this version of the traditional tale delivered over the course of two hours or so. And like that lamp at the heart of it all, it proved magical.

- BARBARA HODGSON

Aladdin is a colourful feast of fun, skilfully telling the traditional tale with a sprinkling of Geordie gems

The latest panto by West End producer Michael Harrison, who's from Wallsend and comes back each year to bring us the annual show that he also writes and directs, marks the 20-year anniversary of its stars Clive Webb and Danny Adams.

And, with its creator and the city theatre sharing in the milestone, there’s a real air of celebration about it this time.

It opens with an explosion of colour and music as Joe McElderry - who himself is back with the team for a fifth year, this time playing the Spirit of the Ring - leads a kind of homage to the range of pantos Clive and Danny have performed here over the years.

During a song remembering their shows and costars we are treated to such sights as the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk and the crocodile from Peter Pan. These are a reminder, if we needed one, that Michael Harrison's annual panto goes all-out to impress with its effects and production quality.

This Aladdin also differs from the norm with a character of Mother Goose adding to the mix and continued nods to other pantos.