Review: Aladdin, The Woodville, Gravesend

Do you hate pantomime? Then prepare to be converted.

The walls of The Woodville were near to tumbling down from the screams of laughter heard at this year’s production of Aladdin.

While this was in many ways a traditional pantomime, the sheer ridiculousness of the gags and costumes combined with hilariously irrelevant tangents to the story were enough to make even the most cynical crack a smile (and that includes me).

Shane Lynch is this year’s celebrity star, playing baddie Abanazar. The Irishman pulled off an impressive villainous accent and demeanour, but that did not stop his fellow performers making childish “potato” jabs at him throughout the show.

Co-stars Jamie Foreman and Ben Ofoedu, playing the Emperor of China and The Genie, also kept audiences entertained with mandatory self-deprecating references to their twinkling career history.

Ofoedu, from pop band Phats & Small, even performed his smash hit Turn Around – which if you don’t recognise from the name, you’ll certainly recognise from a quick YouTube search.

But the real stars of the show were lesser-known pantomime legends that are Robert Pearce playing surreal drag act Widow Twankey and Ant Payne playing her klutz of a son Wishee Washee.

The two comics had the audience in stitches after every phrase they uttered. Their gags were juvenile and predictable, but it was exactly that which made it all so enjoyable to watch.

Full marks also have to go to costume designer James Maciver for Widow Twankey’s completely ludicrous get-ups.

Every stage entry, she was wearing something different, and always delightful – including once dressing as a washing machine with matching clothes line headwear.

It is true to say there was nothing particularly edgy or ground-breaking about Aladdin – it was simply a traditional pantomime done extremely well.

But regardless of your level of pantophobia, I can confidently guarantee that this production will have you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face.

Aladdin is on at The Woodville until Sunday, January 4. Tickets from £12. Call the box office on 01474 337774.