Disney's Aladdin Musical at Birmingham Hippodrome Review

Post

Subscribe

Thu 10 Oct 2024 - Sun 03 Nov 2024

Disney is renowned for its slick live shows from stage to ice skating tours but its Aladdin musical takes the special effects to another level.

Flying magic carpets, a magical genie emerging from a lamp and even a mystical creature in the sand opening a tomb glistening with gold aren't fantasy any more. This show takes the audience to a whole new world where what they've loved on screen becomes reality.

I caught Disney's Aladdin on its UK tour at Birmingham Hippodrome , where it stays until November 3. The Hippodrome, like Disney, is another well-loved and established historic company and it is celebrating its 125 years of entertaining at the same time.

I've seen the 1992 animated film of Aladdin countless times and was sceptical at how it could be adapted as well to stage. While the opening half an hour sets the scene in Agrabah with perfectly timed song and dance routines and colourful ancient Arabian outfits, it felt like it was bubbling along nicely, but not necessarily wowing me at that point.

Around the marketplace, we find Gavin Adams as a cheery Aladdin with winning smiling and stunning singing voice befriending Jasmine, pictures below. Desmonda Cathabel is well cast to fit the bill of the feisty princess and the plot follows the original movie more or less to the latter, with some extra songs and the addition of Aladdin's comical friends Babkak, Omar, and Kassim.



The only major change, probably because it was too difficult to do, is that Jafar's henchman Iago is now a human rather than parrot, but he does have quirky pantomime-like features and habits that children in the audience adored. Angelo Paragoso as Iago and Adam Strong as Jafar make a perfect team of baddies and their evil cackling laughs were one of the highlights.

It's when the action leaves Agrabah and Aladdin is taken by Jafar into the desert to find the magic lamp that this show is transformed - and it's worth the wait. The special effects power up and are sensational, but on top of that, there's the big entrance of the Genie.

Yeukayi Ushe, pictures below, steals the show as Genie and is bubbling over with the charisma and musical talent needed for this central role, made so famous by comedian Robin Williams in the movie. That's big shoes to fill but Ushe's high-energy performance never falters and he can't help but bring a smile to everyone's face.

The dance routines seem to get bigger and more glitzy from here in too and Friend Like Me is a real showstopper ahead of the interval.



There's barely time to catch your breath after the break before the most memorable and romantic scene unfolds. The flying carpet ride where Prince Ali and Princess Jasmine sing A Whole New World and trust me, it doesn't disappoint.

Children and adults alike will be baffled at how it's done as the magic carpet looks so realistic and the music from a live orchestra reminds everyone what a timeless song it is. Adams' and Cathabel's vocals particularly do the Tim Rice song proud.

With pantomime-style fun, this musical manages to appeal to all ages and children seemed to love the silly jokes and humour added from Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. It was good to see them get a number of their own of High Adventure as they battle the palace guards with sword fights and gusto in true Disney fashion.

There's plenty more welcome comedy from the lovable Genie too. Yes, Disney's Aladdin is magical but Ushe's Genie is a key ingredient that lifts this show to make it extra special.

Disney has done it again with a gem of a show that glistens as bright as Aladdin's cave. With first-class magical special effects, you won't believe what you're seeing in this bewitching Arabian adventure for all ages.

Rating: 4/5 stars


Tickets cost from £20 at the Birmingham Hippodrome website here . The show runs until November 3 in Birmingham.

Age guidance is 6+ with no under 3s admitted.



%wnbirmingham

#theatre_shows
#family_friendly