Over the Christmas period 2011/12 I was the choreographer for Aladdin at the Milton Keynes Theatre.
The show runs from Friday 9th December until Sunday 15th January 2012. The cast includes: Gareth Gates, Paul Burling, Anita Dobson, Russell Grant, Camilla Dallerup and Nicola Brazil.
Over the Christmas period 2011/12 I was the choreographer for Aladdin at the Milton Keynes Theatre.Aladdin
Published Tuesday 13 December 2011 at 10:19 by Jean Rush in The Stage
Eric Potts has written eight panto scripts this year, as well as appearing as Dame in Wimbledon, so he knows his business. All the traditional elements are in this show, combined with strong TV influences.As well as joining in the usual running gags, the audience starts to clap along as soon as Gareth Gates as Aladdin begins to sing. Three Genies are listed above the title - Camilla Dallerup for most of the run, Russell Grant guesting from December 20-24 and Anita Dobson from 26-31, and Strictly Come Dancing’s theme tune is played every time the Genie of the Lamp is mentioned.
Camilla is gorgeous, and has a couple of good routines with the excellent team of eight dancers. The Genie of the Ring (Djalenga Scott) is outstanding, and Adam Pearce is a convincing villain as Abanazer.
Some good slapstick includes a naughty version of The 12 Days of Christmas involving five toilet rolls thrown around the auditorium, and the show is dominated by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Paul Burling as Wishee Washee, with an incredible range of impersonations. Production values are superb, with lavish sets and a beautifully decorated front of house to get the audience in the mood.
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Aladdin - Liverpool Empire
Once again this year I am involved with First Family Entertainment in their production of 'Aladdin' which is being staged at the Liverpool Empire. I am the resident Choreographer.
The show runs from December 10th until January 2nd 2011.
Aladdin
From Friday 4th December until Sunday 10th January 2010 I will be appearing in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre. The cast includes: Brian Blessed - Abanazar, Ruby Wax - Genie of the Lamp (4th - 12th Dec), Pamela Anderson - Genie of the Lamp (13th - 27th Dec), Anita Dobson - Genie of the Lamp (28th Dec - 3rd Jan), Paul O'Grady - Genie of the Lamp (5th - 10th Jan), Ashley Day - Aladdin, Paul Thornley - Wishee Washee, Jonathan Ellis - Widow Twankey, Djalenga Scott - Genie of the Ring, Leila Benn Harris - Princess Jasmine, Ian Talbot - Emperor, Sam Bradshaw - Chinese Policeman.
Aladdin.
Published Friday 11 December 2009 at 13:25 in The Stage by John Thaxter.
Wimbledon’s lavish staging proudly lists five megastars above the title, but big name completists will need to book tickets four times over to see them all. Ruby Wax opens the relay race (until mid-December) as a wildly anarchic Genie of the Lamp, a disgruntled super-trouper on the phone to her agent, merrily stirring the plot with her devastating asides and improvisations.
Booming Brian Blessed is the star anchor man, a pussycat Abanazar, whose bid for villainy rests with getting us to boo at the right moments. But for me the show’s two big names are Eric Potts, whose lively new script downplays the familiar tale in favour of musical comedy, while director Ian Talbot’s sure hand creates a hugely enjoyable, brilliantly coherent pantomime, the best I’ve seen at this much-loved theatre.
Jonathan D Ellis, with a corncrake voice and saucy costumes, turns Widow Twankey into a demi-mondaine diva with her eye on the main chance, while busy actor Paul Thornley establishes himself as an astonishingly limber Wishee Washee, doing a twisting leap at every entrance and almost carrying the whole show with his appealing personality.
With four superstars sidelining the Genie role, the magical action passes to the Slave of the Ring, here played with knockout glamour by tall, slender Djalenga Scott, whose trim, wiggling midriff will be the envy of girls and the delight of the boys, while Sam Bradshaw is the most versatile PC Pong one could wish for, both a lively comic and brilliant juggler on wheels.
The super dance troupe, imaginatively choreographed by Sarah Dean, really cuts the mustard, while the vocal standouts are happily also the romantic pairing of Ashley Day as Aladdin and Leila Benn Harris as his Princess, voices twinned in perfect harmony, whose love affair rounds off this hugely successful entertainment.
The show runs from December 10th until January 2nd 2011.
Aladdin
Published Wednesday 15 December 2010 at 11:41 by Chris High
With an on stage time of just fourteen minutes, Pamela Anderson is certainly an expensive bauble to add to The Empire’s Christmas tree, so it is good to report that this First Family production of Aladdin is such a success. With a set and costumes designed by Terry Parsons that glitter at every twirl, Ian Talbot’s direction makes sure that the real substance of what lies beneath comes across in some slick performances.
Marc Mulcahey and Dani Rayner as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine are far from overshadowed by their more experienced colleagues and provide the real glamour and some top-notch vocals, but it is stalwarts Les Dennis as Wishee Washee and Mark Moraghan as an Abanazar nasty enough to receive the requisite boos in abundance, who are the real engine that drives the show. For her part, Anderson genuinely gets into the Christmas spirit and is clearly not adverse to a little self-deprecation as the “most powerful and downloaded Genie of all time”.
Then there’s Sean Kearns as a larger than life Twankey, in an array of costumes ranging from washing baskets to boxes of noodles, and Conleth Kane as fall guy Major Pong, providing the silliness that every panto needs.
There are some glitches. Occasionally the live orchestra threatens to drown out the actors and there are one or two issues with microphones stalling, but overall wonderful effects, song and dance routines that are truly outstandingand enthusiasm that does credit to all concerned ensures Aladdin provides more than its fair share of magic.
I was the resident choreographer for this show.
I was the resident choreographer for this show.
From Friday 4th December until Sunday 10th January 2010 I will be appearing in Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre. The cast includes: Brian Blessed - Abanazar, Ruby Wax - Genie of the Lamp (4th - 12th Dec), Pamela Anderson - Genie of the Lamp (13th - 27th Dec), Anita Dobson - Genie of the Lamp (28th Dec - 3rd Jan), Paul O'Grady - Genie of the Lamp (5th - 10th Jan), Ashley Day - Aladdin, Paul Thornley - Wishee Washee, Jonathan Ellis - Widow Twankey, Djalenga Scott - Genie of the Ring, Leila Benn Harris - Princess Jasmine, Ian Talbot - Emperor, Sam Bradshaw - Chinese Policeman.
I am the Dance Captain and understudy for Aladdin and Wishee Washee.
Aladdin.
Published Friday 11 December 2009 at 13:25 in The Stage by John Thaxter.
Wimbledon’s lavish staging proudly lists five megastars above the title, but big name completists will need to book tickets four times over to see them all. Ruby Wax opens the relay race (until mid-December) as a wildly anarchic Genie of the Lamp, a disgruntled super-trouper on the phone to her agent, merrily stirring the plot with her devastating asides and improvisations.
Booming Brian Blessed is the star anchor man, a pussycat Abanazar, whose bid for villainy rests with getting us to boo at the right moments. But for me the show’s two big names are Eric Potts, whose lively new script downplays the familiar tale in favour of musical comedy, while director Ian Talbot’s sure hand creates a hugely enjoyable, brilliantly coherent pantomime, the best I’ve seen at this much-loved theatre.
Jonathan D Ellis, with a corncrake voice and saucy costumes, turns Widow Twankey into a demi-mondaine diva with her eye on the main chance, while busy actor Paul Thornley establishes himself as an astonishingly limber Wishee Washee, doing a twisting leap at every entrance and almost carrying the whole show with his appealing personality.
With four superstars sidelining the Genie role, the magical action passes to the Slave of the Ring, here played with knockout glamour by tall, slender Djalenga Scott, whose trim, wiggling midriff will be the envy of girls and the delight of the boys, while Sam Bradshaw is the most versatile PC Pong one could wish for, both a lively comic and brilliant juggler on wheels.
The super dance troupe, imaginatively choreographed by Sarah Dean, really cuts the mustard, while the vocal standouts are happily also the romantic pairing of Ashley Day as Aladdin and Leila Benn Harris as his Princess, voices twinned in perfect harmony, whose love affair rounds off this hugely successful entertainment.
Aladdin, New Victoria Theatre, Woking, Review
Aladdin
Published in The Stage on Thursday 11 December 2008 at 11:30 by Sheila Tracy
This is a shimmering, scintillating pantomime with costumes and sets that take your breath away and it sports a cast vastly experienced in the genre.
There is nothing like a pantomime dame well schooled in the art and Eric Potts is a splendid example. His Widow Twankey, with each outfit more outrageous than the last, is a delight. Praise too for Granville Saxton, giving an unusual slant to Abanazar as a ‘baddie’ with a sense of humour. But the undoubted star of this pantomime is Bradley Walsh as Wishee Washee. With his vast experience as a stand-up comic, he has the audience in the palm of his hand from start to finish and can do no wrong. As the show’s director, his choice of the tiny Ben Goffe as the Genie of the Lamp is a masterstroke.
Eloise Irving, former BBC Choirgirl of the Year, is in fine voice as the Princess with Neil Toon as Aladdin. Not that you can hear the words, as the sound balance is appalling, with very loud backing music constantly drowning the vocals. This needs to be addressed, as it is the only criticism of what is otherwise a brilliant production.
Published in The Stage on Thursday 11 December 2008 at 11:30 by Sheila Tracy
This is a shimmering, scintillating pantomime with costumes and sets that take your breath away and it sports a cast vastly experienced in the genre.
There is nothing like a pantomime dame well schooled in the art and Eric Potts is a splendid example. His Widow Twankey, with each outfit more outrageous than the last, is a delight. Praise too for Granville Saxton, giving an unusual slant to Abanazar as a ‘baddie’ with a sense of humour. But the undoubted star of this pantomime is Bradley Walsh as Wishee Washee. With his vast experience as a stand-up comic, he has the audience in the palm of his hand from start to finish and can do no wrong. As the show’s director, his choice of the tiny Ben Goffe as the Genie of the Lamp is a masterstroke.
Eloise Irving, former BBC Choirgirl of the Year, is in fine voice as the Princess with Neil Toon as Aladdin. Not that you can hear the words, as the sound balance is appalling, with very loud backing music constantly drowning the vocals. This needs to be addressed, as it is the only criticism of what is otherwise a brilliant production.
Aladdin By:
Bradley Walsh, who also directs and performs
Management: First Family Entertainment for New Victoria Woking
Cast:
Eloise Irving, Granville Saxton, Neil Toon, Graham James, Chris Nelson, Tam Ryan, Ben Goffe, Matthew Beadle, Blake Clayfield, Justin St Cyr, Philip Joel, Kerry Jane Gillott, Chloe Scott, Momo Yeung, Hayley Wilson
Director: Eric Potts, who also performs
Lighting: Adrian Barnes
Choreography: Sarah Dean
Musical direction: Allan Rogers
Celtic Journey Review
Theatre review:
Celtic Journey, The Churchill, Bromley
Celtic Journey takes its audience on a dance adventure across the globe. Geoff Billingsley urges you to go along for the ride.
Devised and directed by leading choreographer Sarah Dean, Celtic Journey takes us through a global celebration of dance, suggesting it all somehow points back to Irish dancing.
It all starts on The Giant's Causeway and a wedding - the Queen of the Fairies is getting hitched up to the King of the Scots. Momo Yeung as the Queen was a bit scary actually but, hey, that's me.
We then go off to Ireland's Ross Common, then Madrid where the comparison between Spanish and Irish dancing is perhaps at its closest. Russia and Zimbabwe are also featured as a breathtaking first half ends.
As well as six excellent principal dancers the cast is swelled by around 100 children who were selected via local auditions in January. Their inclusion is a master stroke and they were as disciplined and professional as some of the more seasoned performers I have seen.
India, Brazil and the United States are cleverly included in part two with a rip-roaring Dublin-based climax. This is the third and final showcase of Celtic Journey and I certainly hope this polished version gets the national chances it deserves.
It's not too often you get to see such quality of dance presented in a magical story which includes so many young children, all working together so well.
Celtic Journey, The Churchill, Bromley
Celtic Journey takes its audience on a dance adventure across the globe. Geoff Billingsley urges you to go along for the ride.
Devised and directed by leading choreographer Sarah Dean, Celtic Journey takes us through a global celebration of dance, suggesting it all somehow points back to Irish dancing.
It all starts on The Giant's Causeway and a wedding - the Queen of the Fairies is getting hitched up to the King of the Scots. Momo Yeung as the Queen was a bit scary actually but, hey, that's me.
We then go off to Ireland's Ross Common, then Madrid where the comparison between Spanish and Irish dancing is perhaps at its closest. Russia and Zimbabwe are also featured as a breathtaking first half ends.
As well as six excellent principal dancers the cast is swelled by around 100 children who were selected via local auditions in January. Their inclusion is a master stroke and they were as disciplined and professional as some of the more seasoned performers I have seen.
India, Brazil and the United States are cleverly included in part two with a rip-roaring Dublin-based climax. This is the third and final showcase of Celtic Journey and I certainly hope this polished version gets the national chances it deserves.
It's not too often you get to see such quality of dance presented in a magical story which includes so many young children, all working together so well.
