ALADDIN: Adapted and directed by Elton John Duffy. Choreography by Shaun Klaasen. Silhouette cut-outs: Aubrey Ellis. Presented by Lilliput Players Children’s Theatre Company. At the Nassau Theatre. Monday to Saturday at 10am until Saturday. SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
THE value of catering for children’s theatre cannot be underestimated, as in young people rest theatre’s future. Not simply as a prospective audience learning theatre manners such as sitting still, not talking out loud or rustling sweetie papers, but in all aspects of theatre-making including directing, acting, singing, dancing, music, technical, as well as theatre management.
A heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who present children’s shows. It is imperative that what children see, is short, snappy and appeals to their imagination. Having been involved in children’s theatre for 20 years, director Elton John Duffy has learnt this and with his latest reworking of Aladdin, succeeded in capturing the attention of every three to 10-year-old child.
Based on the age-old Arabian Nights tale, costumed in bright Arabian custom and set in Agrabah against Aubrey Ellis’ effective palm trees and minaret silhouettes, an upstage second tier added a useful dimension, particularly when “flying” the magic carpet.
Duffy’s team of seven, playing nine roles, is well balanced. They sang in tune, co-ordinated Shaun Klaasen’s suitably choreographed shoulder shrugs, waltz steps, crossover walks, limps and dance routines while each gave their character individual definition.
The Guard’s (Kyle Seconna) scimitar scared some children. But audience’s vote for their favourite character went unquestionably to Genie (Divan Coetzer). A towering figure in “blue make-up”. Coetzer’s strong personality, exaggerated acting, excellent diction in Guess Who’s Back caused much giggling. As did his A Friend Like Me with Aladdin (Heinrich de Jager) and Toni Andrew’s mime in her non-speaking Magic Carpet part.
Desle McConney (Princess Jasmine) also had excellent diction. However, although Klaasen’s Jafar projected a sense of evil in Bad to the Bone and de Jager proved a nimble-footed Aladdin, both need to up their speaking levels a notch to be clearly heard.
It’s a pity Duffy treats the Sultan as such a bland character. It gave Carina Karcher no opportunity to look powerful or regal. A little rewriting could make a big difference, as could correctly addressing Princess Jasmine as Your Royal Highness and not Your Majesty.
Sponsored by the Al Qatariah Children’s company, this production soon travels to Qatar for a week.
l Tickets R50. To book, call 0861 915 8000. For block bookings, call 083 364 8284.