  ALADDIN
BOOK
BY COLIN WAKEFIELD.
MUSIC
AND LYRICS BY KATE EDGAR
"This
ALADDIN is traditional to the tips of its turned-up toes and has the
Playstation
generation on the edge of its seats screaming with delight. Shining
through
Colin Wakefield's script and Kate Edgar's direction is an intelligence
that has considered the child's-eye view. There is constant interaction
across the footlights, and an ample smattering of well-managed and
eagerly
contributed audience participation. It is rare that any production
genuinely
deserves the title "a show for all the family". But this one does."
(THE
INDEPENDENT)
CAST
(4F, 6M or 5F, 5M + Chorus)
| ABANAZAR |
M |
Villain |
| GENIE
OF THE RING |
F |
Dotty.
Foil to Abanazar. |
| WIDOW
TWANKEY |
M |
Dame. |
| ALADDIN |
F |
Her
son. Principal boy. |
| WISHEE
WASHEE |
M |
Her
other son. |
| EMPEROR
FOO WIFF PONG |
M |
Silly
baddy. |
| P.C.
PING PONG |
M |
The
Emperor's officer. (Double act) |
| PRINCESS
SO-SHY |
F |
The
Emperor's daughter. |
| SING
SONG |
F |
The
Princess's handmaid. |
| SLAVE
OF THE LAMP |
M
or F |
Mysterious.
Mercurial. Athletic. |
- CHORUS
of children and/or young adults as CITIZENS, LAUNDRY ATTENDANTS,
WAITERS,
CHINESE BOGWOPPITS and SLAVES.
- CASTING
NOTE: This pantomime was written for a cast of ten principals and
a
small chorus, but will also suit a larger company. Most of the
principals
doubled in the Opening Chorus (as merchants and citizens). With a
larger company, a separate Chorus, of whatever size, can be used for
the
Opening, as well as for fleshing out a number of other scenes (e.g. The
Laundry, the Chase, the Bogwoppit Ballet, the Transformation of the
Cave,
the Celebration Number, and the Finale). Most of the characters are
self-explanatory.
The Slave of the Lamp, however, should ideally be played by an actor
with
strong physical skills: an athlete, a gymnast or (maybe) a karate
expert.
The idea is that the magic should be in his/her physicality.
SETTINGS
- Two
FRONTCLOTHS (One would suffice) :
A STREET IN PEKING.
- ARABY.
- Four
MAIN SETTINGS:
- THE PALACE GARDENS
- WIDOW TWANKEY'S LAUNDRY
- THE MAGIC CAVE (including
Transformation)
- ABANAZAR'S
DEN
- There
is an optional U.V scene (Aladdin's journey to Araby on his Magic
Carpet)
which was not used in the original production.
- The
designs and staging can be as lavish or as simple as resources allow.
MUSIC
- Thirteen
Numbers. The original songs and music are scored for two keyboards and
percussion, but can be tailored to suit resources.
ALADDIN
was first performed at Salisbury Playhouse on 11th December 1993,
and
was revived in a new production in 1998.
"This
ALADDIN proves that pantomime can be great theatre still."
(Salisbury
Journal)
The script
and music for ALADDIN are published by JOSEF WEINBERGER PLAYS (020 7580
2827), who handle all contracts and from whom inspection copies are
available
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