Writer: Sonia Jalay
Director: Nicholai La Barrie
It’s the story you know and love: Aladdin and Jasmine get trapped inside Lidl, and the Genie strikes up a hot romance with Madame Twerky (Aladdin’s mother, of course). Nicholai La Barrie’s anything-but-traditional retelling of Aladdin is full of all the fun games, audience interaction, and masterful costuming one could hope for and expect in a pantomime.
City boy Aladdin (Andre Antonio) is determined to woo his girl Jasmine (Aleyna Mohanraj) now that his smooth-talking can be complete with the lavish lifestyle that he’s always hoped for. Thanks to some help from the crowd-favourite Genie (Jodie Jacobs), the hero can make all the wise wishes necessary to bolster his status. All the money in the world? Check. Cardi B as his manager? Check? The boy’s noble dreams of romance may find themselves obscured in the face of wealth and power.
Of course, Aladdin’s plight earns him more than just cash. His wistful wishing garners the scorn of Jasmine’s stepfather, Abanazaar (Andrew Pepper). To the audience’s endless protest, Abanazar plots and tricks to prevent the romance. In spite of the symphony of boos and hisses, he schemes tirelessly, landing the lovers in a magical evil dungeon. The lights on the neon sign that reads “Aladdin” dim to reveal their prison: “Lidl”. In an attempt to escape, Aladdin calls upon the long-awaited magic carpet, a feat of stage tech and engineering that can only be described as magic.
To introduce more antics between Abanazaar’s hilarious dastardly deeds, Madame Twerky (Emmanuel Akwafo) can always be counted on to lighten the mood. An unstoppable force of jokes, dance, and comedy, Twerky rounds out a show that is meant for the whole family. She is not without a formidable arsenal of raunchy jokes, in which she is abetted by her sweetheart, the Genie. Their sexual escapades are omnipresent alongside their humorous parenting of Aladdin in a classic show that encourages the spirit of pantomime.
The whole story is peppered with exciting extras and underscored by an unexpected but refreshing soundtrack of pop hits arranged by Corin Buckeridge. Pyrotechnics, confetti cannons, and audience participation both on and offstage all create a fast-paced bonanza of colours and music. With music from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, and Bjork, the tracklist for the night does not disappoint. From rapid rap to heart-wrenching ballad, the cast takes each song in stride to complete an already fun show with impressive technique.
Both costumes and set design by Good Teeth shine bright and must not go unappreciated. The classic fairytale backdrop sets a familiar scene for performances that are anything but. Wigs piled high atop the heads of Genie and Twerky are opposite Aladdin’s white suits and cowboy boots – the fashion in Hammersmith’s Aladdin is a triumph. Madame Twerky has a wardrobe that could be an exhibit on its own, complete with a spectacular Christmas bell getup.
With so many surprises and so much to love, Aladdin makes the Lyric Hammersmith a holiday destination. A little part of every showgoer wants to exclaim when a villain is villainous or help an ill-informed hero get the girl. Aladdin is a blast for kids, parents, grandparents, and anyone willing to get a little silly. And come on, who doesn’t love Beyoncé?
Runs until 5 January 2025
