Aladdin at the Millennium is a real Christmas treat

It’s Panto season in Derry  - Oh, yes, it is! 

So, accompanied by Miss Penny Bradley (5), Derry News made her way to The Millennium Forum to see Aladdin - along with mammy, Emma, and auntie, Jacqueline.

And quite simply, it was fantastic! 

Miss Pennny Bradley at Aladdin in The Millennium Forum with mammy, Emma, and auntie, Jacqueline.

A signed performance, by two young men who also looked to be thoroughly enjoying the performance,  the energy from the performers on stage on Wednesday night was phenomenal.

Pow! Right from the opening bars of the Taylor Swift hit Love Story the audience was engaged and entertained, immediately and loudly booing the excellent baddie, Abanazar (Karen Hawthorne). 

Set in Widow Twanky’s (Conal Gallen) laundry in ‘Old Muff Town’ the Derry and Donegal references were plentiful and funny. The Lamp of the old Bogside even had its own signature tune. 

The staging, lighting, music, sound and costume teams behind Aladdin are to be congratulated. The whole thing was spectacular. 

Widow Twanky (Conal Gallen), PC Donut (Matthew McLaughlin) and Wishy Washy (Aodhan Kehoe) on stage in Aladdin.

The choreography was fabulous and the dancers were excellent. They really brought pizazz aplenty to the show. Look out too for the unexpected but delightful animatronics and special effects - I’ll say no more.

The whole cast of Aladdin was strong: Dylan Reid (Aladdin), Aodhan Kehoe (Wishy Washy), Corrie Earley (Princess Jasmine), Niamh Morrison (Genie of the Lamp), Lily O’Regan (Spirit of the Ring), and Eoin Callahan (The Emperor). 

My own particular favourite was PC Donut, played by Derry’s Matthew McLaughlin. He was just very funny.

David McLaughlin, chief executive of the Millennium Forum, who wrote and produced Aladdin said Christmas pantomimes had always been at the heart of the Derry Christmas.

The brilliant ensemble performing in Aladdin at The Millennium Forum.

“This tradition has continued at the Forum from when we hosted our very first panto back in 2001,” he added.

“Since then, generations of families have enjoyed magical Christmas memories at our theatre and this year promises to be no exception. With our incredibly talented cast, fantastic song and dance routines, great comedy, amazing special effects, Makaton song and lots more, Aladdin is set to be our biggest panto yet.”

Hats off to the behind the scenes team: Jonathan Burgess (director), Alan Wright (musical director), Venessa Chapman (choreographer), Helen Quigley (costumes), Chloe Harkin (production manager), Codeine Morrison (stage manager), and Rory Harkin (lighting designer). Their hard work made the on stage production look effortless. 

But, very small point, maybe next year, we don’t ‘take a hand out of’ Spanish names, after all, we don’t like Irish ‘jokes’ 

Young Penny thought Aladdin was “the best show ever” and I agree with her 100 percent.

Aladdin is running in Derry’s Millennium Forum from now until Tuesday, December 31, with an audio described performance on Sunday, December 22, at 1.30pm. Full information and tickets are available at the box office or online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk.