LHMTC Press Archive
Spring Pantomime - 'Aladdin'
N.O.D.A. (East) Review
by Susan DuPont - Region 5
Representative
LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
ALADDIN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock
CHOREOGRAPHER
Laura Farr, Alex Nadel, Zoe Adams
Script by Les Miles, Francis Miles.
Lyrics by Les Miles.
Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock
When I read the programme notes and the history of LHMTC, I am filled with admiration for what you have all achieved, so many awards for community projects and all so well deserved and how rewarding to see the efforts and achievements of the members and the continuing confidence of your company as well as the ‘theatrical plaudits’.
This company so full of life and energy and obviously enjoying every moment in the limelight, and a chance for all to shine however large or small their role in the story: all are important to the group. The big company numbers really are the ‘cream and icing on the top’ of the production, with the movement and sign language from all adding to the huge vocal input so many congratulations on the ‘company’ front.
It seemed a little strange to me to go to a pantomime in April, long after my season had finished, but an excellent evening with a good story line and all the characters rising to the occasion. What energy from Jordan Winn as Will, a regular ‘Jack-in-box’ with his spins, a very strong personality and voice and confidence Aladdin from Alex Nadel, and a great role as ‘baddie’ Abanazer in the person of Michael Miles with the ‘right’ reactions from audience, with Soapy Bubbles from Tom Baines adding to the fun mix, and Hans (Sophie Strudwick) worked so hard throughout the story. Superb in his purple and gold, Josh Large really conquered all with good projection and personality as the Sultan, supported in style by daughter Princess Crystal (Emily Key), DPM Chantelle Booth, and Jade (Helen Fenton). Just loved those birds from Kerry Bensley and Rebecca Bush as Pringle and Twiglet, such great creative interpretations. And as the Genie, Alana Gemmell really sparked and spelled us all with her style and personality and huge vocals, a polished performance. That line-up of the many Pongs and Pings showed talent at all ages, loved their persona and the appearances; also that Ratty group who seemed to be there on all the right moments.
But my main ‘take home’ remembrance is that great ‘You can do it’ end-of-show medley with the whole company giving their all in song and movement and energy-filled enthusiasm to give joy to all watching, a real achievement and obviously full of enjoyment of performance for all on stage: Les and Tim and the rest of the production team can be proud as indeed they did prove that you can do it, congratulations to all concerned.
Susan DuPont
N.O.D.A. (East) Review
by Stephen Hayter - Region 4
Representative
LAVENDER HILL MOB THEATRE COMPANY
ALADDIN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Les Miles
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Rock
CHOREOGRAPHER
Laura Farr, Alex Nadel, Zoe Adams
Script by Les Miles, Francis Miles.
Lyrics by Les Miles.
Music and Orchestration by Tim Rock
As the temperature begins to rise, the blossom
appears on the trees and the Daffodils are in full bloom… it means it’s Lavender
Hill Mob Panto time!!!! As they are the last of the local amateur group’s still
using the Corn Exchange, it makes a nice change to be in the larger of King’s
Lynn’s performing venues. With yet another massive question mark over the Arts
Centre, I can’t help but wonder where do we go next, but none of that mattered
as I took my seat for this most uplifting seasonal ritual.
As soon as the mighty red curtain rose majestically, I was
once again impressed by the colour and scale of the amazing backcloths (Scenic
Projects Ltd). They seemed to fill the stage without many other pieces of
scenery and made this particular show flow with some speed. Lighting (Jason
Elms) was excellent and sound (Tim Rock) was everything you would expect from a
man of his talent. Costumes (Michelle Smith, Una Rock and Judy Bains) are always
a talking point and this year’s selection were as good as ever. Choreography
(Laura Farr, Zoe Adams and Alex Nadel) suited the vast number of bodies on stage
and was effective without trying to be spectacular.
The chorus was another huge affair, with way too many to
mention, but, as usual, everyone looked to know where they were going, and what
to do when they got there and they sang and danced and, I would say, had a
pretty good time! I loved the “Stones”
and their dance routine which was amongst the highlights and I was mightily
impressed with the 4 members of the “Rat Pack” who gave a master class in acting
without any script. Richard Bass and
Ford Bailey were on form as the Mummy’s and Dip, Dop, Ipp and Opp were handled
well by George Templeman, Ford Bailey, Lauren Morano and Sheila Anderson.
In the supporting roles, there were nice cameos from Helen
Fenton as Jade, Chantelle Booth as the Deputy Prime Minister and it was
wonderful to see Josh Large taking on a little dialogue in the role of The
Sultan of Beckaloowan. In addition there was some excellent work from Kacie
Butler as Pong-Ping, Ellie Mae-Smith as Ping-Pong, Sophia Dawson as Mini-Pong
and Sarah Newman as Mini-Ping. Together of course with Callum Elsdon-Bird as
Ping and Matthew Smedmor as Pong … I am so glad to have got that lot out of the
way! Another two young ladies who delivered outstanding performances were
Rebecca Bush and Kerry Bensley as the two parrots, Twiglet and Pringle. They
didn’t get many lines but delivered all that they had in fine style.
In the more prominent roles, Emily Key was delightful as usual
as beautiful Princess Crystal and Alana Gemmell combined a good characterisation
with a nice singing voice to bring us the Genie of the Lamp. Tom Bains was all
about and something of a late substitute I understand doing a sterling job as
the dame, Soapy (“call me Bubbles, darling”) Bubbles. The comic lead was split
this time between the wonderful Sophie Strudwick as Hans and newcomer Jordan
Winn as William “Pop” Bubbles. Miss Strudwick has the most amazing singing voice
and the songs she delivered were captivating. She also managed most of the big
laughs with some visual comedy that compensated for the lack of gags in the
script. Mr Winn was a joy to watch from his first entrance to his last exit and
has a dynamic stage presence. He looked a little short of experience but was
funny and likeable and has enormous potential for the future! One man who just
seems to get better and better is Michael Miles. This time out he took the part
of evil Abanazer and did not put a foot wrong. He was the very embodiment of
despicable with complete confidence in his lines and moves and really added
depth to the whole production.
Penultimate paragraph honours go to Alex Nadel as Aladdin but,
they could have easily gone to Mr Miles, Miss Strudwick or Mr Winn. I award them
to Miss Nadel because, aside from an outstanding characterisation and excellent
singing voice, she was such a steady hand on the rudder. Calm at all times and
she never tried to overpower anyone else’s performance. Again, she is new to me,
and someone to keep a close eye on going forward.
As usual, my unreserved congratulations to Artistic Director,
Les Miles and Musical Director, Tim Rock. A fantastic achievement and a really
entertaining show. Mr Rock managed to create another raft of moving original
songs the highlight of which (for me at least) was the Aladdin and Crystal love
duet “Once In A Lifetime” which really choked me up. In truth, I cried quite a
few times, mostly thanks to the additional signing undertaken by the characters.
I would say that 75% of the total show was signed and that just makes the whole
thing so emotional. Well done Lavender Hill Mob, it may have been warm and sunny
outside, but in the Corn Exchange … it was Christmas for me.
