GOOD, old-fashioned, traditional panto is what you see and that is exactly what you get with Aladdin, now showing at the Oxford Playhouse.
If you love booing the baddies, helping the heroes, collecting delicious sweets, or even being sprayed with a foam gun, then this is the panto to go and see for a great night of family entertainment.
Traditions aside, director and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan has also included a generous helping of up-to-the-minute references from popular culture, as well as a well-balanced mix of songs both young and old will recognise.
Michael Steedon as Aladdin and Charlotte Warren as Princess Jasmine give solid performances as the romantic duo, while Howard Gossington plays an endearing Wishie Washie.
But for me the real showstealers comprise a brilliant Miles Western as the evil Abanazer (watch in particular for his unique rendition of The Kaizer Chief's I Predict A Riot); Simon Green as the "absolutely gorgeous" Widow Twankey, who never failed to raise hearty laughs from the audience; and last, but not least, Fraser Collins as a 1970s disco dancing Genie, who delights with his glittering afro wig and a gold, skin-tight, all-in-one number.
This is one panto not to be missed.
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