Ainsley Melham plays the title role. Image via Disney.com
Taking a four year old to the theatre is an exercise in patience, forewarning and hidden snacks. I was concerned that a pre-schooler’s attention span would not last through the first number, but five minutes into the performance I knew I had nothing to worry about.
Aladdin did not disappoint: it was a spectacle of light and colour, of glitter and sequins and pyrotechnics. Michael James Scott’s sassy, larger-than-life Genie is as memorable as Robin Williams’ animated version, while Adam Murphy is a delightfully dastardly Jafar.
Because it is based on Disney’s original 1992 animation, a much-loved family favourite, the songs and story were already familiar to most members of the audience. Songs such as the Academy Award and Grammy-winning A Whole New World – performed on a flying carpet, which, without any visible ropes or mechanics, genuinely seemed to fly, were brought to life with Ainsley Melham in the title role and American Arielle Jacobs as Princess Jasmine.
Aladdin was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw using the Broadway designs of Bob Crowley (sets), Gregg Barnes (costumes) and Natasha Katz (lighting), plus a mostly local cast. Several new songs had been added, including the over-wrought Proud of Your Boy, which drew a loud ‘Not another slow song!’ from my son.
The Genie’s Friend Like Me was the hero of the show, bringing the audience to its feet. The number showed Scott’s chameleon-like skill, a homage to big band showtunes with top-hatted tap-dancers and baton twirlers, sampling soundtracks from Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Christina Aguilera’s pop hit Genie in a bottle. My son is still talking about it.
I interviewed my four year old – (‘Mum! I’m four and three-quarters’) – about what he thought of the show.
What did you think of the songs?
I like the one with the drumming and the sword fights, and the really, really, really high kicking and jumping. The love songs were a bit boring but they were short. The Genie’s song was the best, there was even tap dancers! In a cave! With feathers!
Who was your favourite character?
The Genie! He was so funny and he had a sparkly head and really wiggly eyebrows. And he even had a jar of Vegemite in his pocket! I like the bad guy, he had a good laugh. And I liked Aladdin’s three funny friends.
They were funny. What did you think of the sets?
The what?
The sets were the decorations on the stage to make it look like a market, or a palace, or the Cave of Wonders.
They were so cool. The Cave of Wonders was so shiny and there were ladies hiding in some of the piles of gold and when they jumped out I said ‘WOW!’
What about the magic carpet ride? That was pretty amazing.
That was crazy. I still don’t know how it works. I think there was a very strong invisible man standing on a ladder holding it up?
You’re probably right. Or maybe it was just magic.
Maybe.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5
Music: Alan Menken, Lyrics: Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, Chad Beguelin, Book: Chad Beguelin, Disney Theatrical
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne
From April 20
