Many thanks to Paul and Sue Berkeley AFIAP, ARPS, CPAGB for all the wonderful photos
The Cast & Crew
ABANAZAR. Ian Prescott
SPIRIT OF THE RING Tina Ward
ALADDIN Victora Sandford
PRINCESS JASMINE Charlotte Debonnaire
WIDOW TWANKEY Martin Cox
WISHEE WASHEE Neil Phillips
EMPRESS Claire Nicholson
HONEY Stephanie McMahon
SGT BALL Bee Neal
PC CHAIN Debbie Jetten
GENIE Martin Bloor
ADULT (& taller teens!) CHORUS
Debbie Lucas
Karen Whitty
Laura Soles
Maddie Beard
Wendy Howard-Allen
Katie Butler
Liv Stopes
Tina Fagan
Beth Slaney
Megan Guppy
Isabelle Angus
Megan Raine
Noah Bowers
JUNIOR CHORUS
Tom Caton
Emma Lucas
Holly McMahon
Tilly Ball
Emily Day
Thea Wright
Emily Squibb
Penny Collins
CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Summer Biddle
Lily Biddle
Esmie May
Primrose May
Laurel Sandford
Daisy Smith
Maddie Angus
Charlotte Woodford
Production Team
Director- Sarah Haberfield
Choreographer – Tina Fagan
Stage Manager – Ben Sandford
Rehearsal Prompt – Lyn Lockyer
Props – Alan Whitty
Costume Coordinator – Katie Butler
Costume Team :-
Judy Anders, Polly Glyde, Clare Collins, Jane Willshaw, Kyrsty Angus
Lighting – Richard Fagan
Sound – Simon Hanney
Head Chaperone – Kyrsty Angus
Review of the Show
Wow. Sometimes you know you have something, and you cannot wait to unleash it on a paying audience. Such it is with Aladdin, currently playing at Ballard School for the New Forest Players. It is a sublime, fun, professional Panto. The director, Sarah Haberfield, is enthused with the spirit of ‘Twixtmas’. The show is alive, bright, dazzling and has a few set pieces that it would be churlish to spoil. Honestly, if you are looking for a show to bring in the New Year – and this runs to 31 December – then stampede your family to go and see this one. Across sound, set, lighting and choreography it is a lift you didn’t know you needed. I had the best time. It really is that good.
Some actors are born to play Hamlet. Neil Phillips was born to play Wishee Washee. What a standout linking performance (splishy, sploshy?). The energy from Neil shone through, with on point asides, knowing looks and great physicality. Brilliant. He was one of a spoil of panto riches. Martin Cox (Window Twankey) ‘rings’ in a glorious dame. Just the right side of naughty. Speaking of rings, Tina Ward’s take of the ‘Spirit of the Rings’ channels Mo Harris in Eastenders as is fabulous for it. Victoria Sandford (Aladdin) has a wonderful presence and impressive vocals. This is just as well as there are numerous singing and dancing opportunities for the adult/junior chorus, who should be applauded for keeping the show bouncing along and are probably happy to have a ‘lad’ to lead the way.
I loved Claire Nicolson’s Empress. I cannot think of a way to do it better. The running gag of ‘Honey’ being a strong candidate for Sports Personality Of The Year lands well and Stephanie McMahon is redoubtable. Charlotte Debonnaire shows great talent in lifting the part of Princess Jasmine to new levels. Ian Prescott is superb as the stage left ‘nearly grown up’ villain of the piece, kicking off the proceedings with the requisite “Boo hiss” and cracking on from there. The two policemen (Belinda Neil and Debbie Jetten) humorously decorate the proceedings and get the most ‘groansome’ lines. And then we have the Genie (Martin Bloor). You have never had a friend like me. Ha! Wait until you see it!
If I have one criticism it is that the wordsearch in the Souvenir programme (lovely) is far too easy – even for a big kid. That’s it, really. I guess brevity is a sign of quality. I have nothing more to say but “Bravo”. Aladdin is everything you want it to be – and more. If you can get a ticket, then bash the door down as if it were a Boxing Day sale. You’ll unwrap a glorious parcel that raises the spirits. A fabulous cast backed up by exceptional direction and production. Trust me, the whole family will love this one. Did I say I had a good time? “Oh yes, you did.”
