Review: One Love! Aladdin at the Orchard West Theatre is festive, funny, full of heart, a perfect Christmas treat and a shining example of why local theatre matters so much.
This year’s production of Aladdin at the Orchard West Theatre is a fun, feel-good pantomime that delivers everything an audience hopes for and then some. What made the show even more impressive was the extraordinary effort that went into making it happen. With Linda Robson sadly having to withdraw from the show due to illness, Antony Costa from Blue, stepped in at the very last minute, reportedly arriving at the theatre this morning, direct from India where he had been on tour with Blue. Somehow, with less than a full day to prepare, he was on stage this evening as Councillor Costa, to ensure that Aladdin still has his best chance to thwart the evil Sven Gali and win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine. It’s hard to overstate just how remarkable that is, and his performance was brilliant. Hats off to the entire cast and creative team for pulling together such a successful production under challenging circumstances.
Turning to the rest of the cast, the junior ensemble was packed with confident, fun, local, young dancers who brought energy and enthusiasm to every scene, while the main ensemble showcased real talent and professionalism. The principal cast delivered a number of standout performances, creating a lively and engaging show from start to finish.
True to pantomime tradition, Aladdin contained all the elements audiences love: the classic battle of good versus evil, family-friendly jokes and jokes just for the parents, larger-than-life characters, colourful costumes, a wonderfully flamboyant panto dame and of course the perfect baddie that we all loved to hate. There was audience participation a plenty ensuring lots of laughter, shouting, and shared moments that make panto such a unique theatre experience.
There was genuinely something for all ages. Younger audience members screamed with delight at references to trending memes and songs from K-Pop Demon Hunters, while older viewers were treated to innuendo, nostalgic laughs and vintage hits that kept the humour broad and inclusive. A few minor technical hitches popped up along the way, but rather than detracting from the show, they only added to its charm and sense of fun, reminding everyone that live theatre is gloriously unpredictable.
Beyond the laughs and spectacle, this production is a reminder of how important theatre is to the local community. Pantomime season is a vital part of the year for local theatres, bringing families together, creating shared traditions and supporting local performers and venues. Going to see the panto isn’t just a great evening out for all ages but it’s also a way of supporting something truly special in the town, something we are incredibly lucky to have.
Aladdin at the Orchard West Theatre is festive, funny, full of heart, a perfect Christmas treat and a shining example of why local theatre matters so much.
Aladdin runs until 4th January with tickets from just £15. You can find out more about the show and buy tickets at: https://trafalgartickets.com/orchard-theatre-dartford/en-GB/event/pantomime/aladdin-tickets
