Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Aretha Ayeh, Marianne Benedict, Carla Freeman, Matthew Ganley, Lindsay Goodhead, Sam Haywood, Adam Keast, Sarah Moss, Griffin Stevens, Francis Tucker.

For Sarah A. Nixon and Mark Chatterton, the writers of the Playhouse Theatre Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto, the subject of Aladdin is one that they have revisited with pride a couple of times but never like this, not with the scale, the almost sense of the wonderful and wonderment all wrapped up in a festive feast that was exactly the production and performance that audiences could have wished for.

Only Sarah A. Nixon and Mark Chatterton could make Aladdin more than a classic fairy tale, a panto that has its roots in the exotic and the mystical East. From the stories that were translated by French archaeologist Antoine Galland, came forth the heroic street urchin Aladdin and the powerful Genie of the Lamp; except of course any genie worth his salt these days wouldn’t just hand out a wish or two just because somebody has learned the art of keeping a lamp highly polished.

If revolution be needed then let the writers light the first spark and this is certainly what the two stalwarts of Everyman/Playhouse pantomime have achieved as nearly every rule is taken apart and given a new lease of life. The customary new take on some classic songs continued the spice and with a returning cast from last year’s incredible festive treat eager to make the audience, both young and the young at heart, giggle, laugh almost nonstop and have the body moving in time to some superbly played music.

With a returning cast, not only is the personal endevour upped to make sure that they take on the high standards set but the sense of creativity is heightened, the comfortable going hand in hand with the urge to make sure that everybody leaves at the end of the night with a smile on their face. With the unbelievably good Francis Tucker and Adam Keast making sure that the comedy was on top form, the smiles were guaranteed from the start, the other members of this exciting and astonishing ensemble played up to the hilt and gave as good a performance as any panto could ever dare hope to have.

Aside from the well-played music, which grabbed everybody in the audience, and the addition of some exceptional singing from all including the stunning Marianne Benedict, making her second appearance as the villainess of the piece, the Rock ‘N’ Panto relies on the ability to make you believe, brings out the inner child and above all make you have fun, again the cast delightfully captured the ethos perfectly. Much must be said of Liverpool’s favourite Panto pairing, Mr. Keast and Mr. Tucker but also of Carla Freeman who has become a firm favourite of crowds making their way to the theatre. This though is a true ensemble piece and without any of the relative people it wouldn’t be the same, a cracking cast who are worth their weight in gold.

The Everyman/Playhouse Rock ‘N’ Panto is one of the much loved and most looked forward to highlights on the Liverpool calendar and this year is no exception. Absolutely phenomenal, the laughter, the wonderment, never stops.

Ian D. Hall