Aladdin, Paisley Arts Centre Review
Aladdin at Paisley Arts Centre production image. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic
Written by Kathryn for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
PACE Theatre Company are back in business at the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre with Aladdin - their 35th panto!
Written and directed by Andy McGregor, Aladdin features original music from PACE panto legend Alan Orr, who also stars in the production as Aladdin’s hapless brother - Wipey McBottie. He’s joined by Chris Alexander as panto dame Pattie McBottie, and former PACE Youth Theatre member Kai Ross as the young adventurous Aladdin.
With this being a panto, and a Paisley panto at that, the story of Aladdin we all know is re-imagined with a distinctly Scottish twist. There’s plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved and lots of innuendos to keep everyone laughing throughout. The cast also features Lauren Ellis-Steele as panto villain Wilma the Wonky (with some fantastic vocal parts to showcase her incredible voice), and Yana Harris as Princess Rosie, who is not your typical damsel in distress style Princess.
The leading cast are joined by an ensemble of 25 young actors from PACE Youth Theatre. 100 young people are involved with the production in total, split in to four teams who rotate throughout the performance schedule.
I will admit it’s been a long time since I’ve seen panto in this venue but the stage felt very small at times, especially when the town set (designed by Fraser Lappin) was in use. This meant the bigger ensemble numbers could feel very crowded. The Arts Centre stage has always been small, but I don’t remember the space feeling so restricted in previous years.
All the children in the audience were invited to get up on stage to take part in the singalong at the end which I loved. I always think it could be inspiring the performers of the future by giving them that first go up on a real stage. The song was fun and also a bit challenging which made it appealing for us adults in the audience too.
The PACE panto is a Christmas tradition for many and it’s a once again, a festive hit for all the family. You’ll be leaving laughing.
Aladdin runs at Paisley Arts Centre until Sunday 5 January 2025. Find out more and book here.
★★★★
