ALADDIN

ALADDIN, Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher at the Capitol Theatre from August 11, 2016. Photography by Deen van Meer, above: Ainsley Pelham, right: Michael James Scott 

BY FELICITY DAYHEW

Be prepared for sparkles, dancing and lots of singing in Disney’s Aladdin. Director/Choreograher Casey Nicholaw who is one of Broadway’s great talents and musical maestro Alan Menken show you the world of flying carpets, mystical caves, and magical genies in their lamps. Join Aladdin (Ainsley Melham), Jasmine (Arielle Jacobs) and Genie (Michael James Scott) in a crazy adventure through the colourful land of Agrabah. 

The music is wonderful, with plenty of songs to sing along to from the original Disney movie, but a few new ones too. Some of them will make you want to jump up and dance with them, and others like “A Whole New World” are very beautiful, moving pieces. The music and songs definitely help set the mood of the scenes. For example, in the beginning, when Aladdin is being cheeky and being chased by the guards through Markets, the music is very upbeat and playful. But when the wicked Jafar (Adam Murphy) and Iago (Aljin Abella) are planning their scheme to bring down “Prince Abooboo” aka Aladdin, it has very sinister sounding music. 

The choreography is jaw-dropping. The dancers are so synchronised it is as if you could take a picture at any moment and they would look the same. The dancers make it seem so effortless, even the tap dancers! 

The costumes include sequins, sequins and more sequins! They are magnificent outfits worn by Princess Jasmine and her three ladies in waiting, as well as the women of the village. Aladdin’s outfit, of course, isn’t as sparkly, as he is a “street rat”, along with his newly introduced friends Kassim, Babkak and Omar. The costumes are so intricately made you can tell lots of work has been put into making each one individual to the character.

The set, designed by legendary Bob Crowley, is amazing and Lighting Designer Natasha Katz does a wonderful job of bringing it to life. The scenes change seamlessly from the desert to a golden cave, to a moonlit night at the palace. There is one curtain that falls toward the front of the stage that helps the transition between different sets. The village set is very well put together. It looks very realistic, and you almost feel as if you are in a market in Arabia. The magic carpet was probably the best part of the set. It really felt as if Aladdin and Jasmine (and the audience too) were flying through the sky, around the city.

Aladdin is a fun, enjoyable musical that will entertain the whole family. I recommend it for any age. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.