REVIEW: Aladdin – at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Thursday, December 11, 2014 to Sunday, January 4, 2015.

SUCCESSFUL pantomimes should provide fun and magic for all members of the family at this special time of the year.

Fail in one factor and not even a sprinkling of fairy dust will suffice. Oh, no it won’t!

The Festival’s festive productions have, to a great degree in recent years, scored pretty well in all aspects.

Sticking in the main with tradition - the tried and tested variety – they have slowly but surely sprinkled into the mix of their pantos a few more special effects, spiced up their scripts to poke fun at neighbouring areas and to appeal across the age spectrum, and also thrown in plenty of audience participation to boot.

A couple of other vital ingredients are having a cast that clicks together and a memorable panto dame.

Aladdin has a Widow Twankey who is not just good in name, one Ian Good, but a full volume, colourful and cranky Mrs Twankey who can’t be easily forgotten.

This particular 'widow' almost steals the show with his outrageously bright costumes and outstanding performance, a clear winner with children and adults alike.

Our man Good also directs this pantomime and under his guiding hand it’s first class and ensures some great entertainment shared with the excellent Robert Powell, as the evil Abanazar, Hi-5’s Chris Edgerley (Aladdin) and Milkshake’s Derek Moran (Wishee Washee). Powell uses all his years of experience to provide a suitably ‘evil’ character who can mix it along with Moran’s (Wishee) and Mark James (PC Pong) who produce many of the comedy moments along with energetic performances.

All the cast can sing and dance well, particularly Rebecca Marks as Aladdin’s love interest, Princess Jasmine, and Carrie Rawlings who is the Slave of the Ring.

It’s a pantomime that works well on every level, a well-staged flying carpet ride – some fine special effects here, pyrotechnics and plenty of magic to keep audiences of all ages happy.

This is a slick production and ought to provide the perfect festive fare to put you in the right mood to enjoy all that Christmas and New Year offers.

VRW