East AngliaPantomimeReview

Aladdin – Theatre Royal, Norwich

Reviewer: Lu Greer

Writer: Richard Gauntlett
Director: Chris Cuming

Flying into Norwich on its magic carpet, this year it’s the turn of Aladdin to bring a splash of colour and sparkle to the festive season. As usual, the theatre is overflowing with big costumes, cartoon sets, and plenty of laughs as Aladdin quests for fortune and love. Despite the glitz though this years show struggles to take flight, weighed down by some odd narrative choices and lacking a little in its signature chaotic charm.

In true panto fashion the plot veers wildly away from the source material, but some of the deviations here are more puzzling than whimsical. The decision to set an Arabian Nights story in Norwich, without ever venturing further east than Great Yarmouth, promises a treasure trove of silly local jokes. But from here, the threads begin to unravel. The Evil Aunt (Lisa Maxwell), starts strong as a determined seeker of the magic lamp, only for it to emerge, somewhat inexplicably, she lives just two miles from it. Meanwhile we meet Aladdin (Tarik Frimpong) and Jazz (Meesha Turner) who have in jokes and secret handshakes, but seem to have only known each other a week, but are happy to get engaged without so much as a second date. Joe Tracini’s dual role as both Reg, a bumbling sidekick, and the Genie is also a strange one. While Tracini’s comedic talents are undeniable, the doubling feels more like an afterthought. The sudden appearance of the magic carpet, with no explanation as to how it was discovered, only adds to the sense of narrative looseness. And then there’s the Spirit of the Ring, whose unlimited magical powers effectively render the Genie redundant, yet whose potential remains oddly underutilized.

The production’s limited cast size is also keenly felt. While the ensemble works hard to fill multiple roles—transforming from townspeople to police officers and beyond—the stage often feels underpopulated, with empty spaces detracting from the visual impact. At the same time, the set design leans heavily on close, static props, creating a claustrophobic effect that undermines the grandeur one might expect from Aladdin’s fantastical world.

That said, there are bright spots amidst the unevenness. Tracini’s energy and comedic timing breathe life into both of his roles, and the ensemble’s commitment to the material is commendable. The costumes and set pieces, while constrained, still manage to deliver bursts of visual delight, and there are moments of genuine humour scattered throughout. There’s a change in the traditional cast this year with the absence of Richard Gauntlett and it’s felt to an unexpected degree; without the barely controlled chaos and the sense that the show may go irretrievably off the rails at any moment it loses the manic, and magical, joy it usually brings.

In the end, Aladdin at Norwich Theatre Royal offers enough fun and festive cheer to entertain families, but it struggles to recapture the spark that has made past productions so beloved. For all its glitter and good intentions, this magic carpet ride never quite soars.

Runs Until: 5 Jan 2025

The Reviews Hub Score

Glitter and gags, but missing its magic.

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The Reviews Hub - South East

The South East team is under the editorship of Nicole Craft. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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2 Comments

  1. I’m really surprised to read this review. We saw the pantomime a few nights ago and had a brilliant night. It was well created and very entertaining with plenty of laughs, great musical moments and superb lighting. The ensemble were incredibly slick. The villainess always knew where the lamp was, she just couldn’t get in because she wasn’t worthy. The magic carpet was a real showstopper, my mouth was honestly open! The panto sparked plenty of joy in all in the audience from what we heard, so please give it a go and enjoy a brilliant night.

  2. The magic carpet, was the ONLY magical part of the show. It was very poor and lacking in audience participation , to such an extent, it almost felt self indulgent on the part of the “stars” who did seem to be enjoying themselves. I will think twice before booking again next year, as this is an expensive afternoon out, so needs to be much better and bigger than this year!!

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