Ali Baba & The Forty ThievesReview : EDPMonday, January 2, 2006 With so many forms of entertainment fighting for our attendtion, it is heart-warming that a tranditional slapstick panto can still pack in the crowds during the busy festive season.The creators, cast and behind-the-scenes team deserved every ounce of praise heaped on them by the enthusiastic first-day audience. And I've no doubt this was the best I've every seen.
The 2 1/2 hour show was packed with energy, sparkle, smiles, beautifully choreographed dancing, great singalongs, audience participation, some magical special effects and, of course, bucketloads of awful jokes and puns.
Director Jill jarman perfectly blended performers with many years of experience with a terrific injection of youth which must have created the youngest ever average age of the cast.
Jodie Quirke (Marjarna), 13, Laura Jude (Princess Jasmine), 14, and Jessica Stocking (Scheherazade), 15, oozed confidence, talent and stage presence which belied their ages. tony Wilds (Dame Fatima Fandango) and Nick Bird (his sidekick Mustafa Screwloose) were treading the boards for years before younger members of the audience were ever born but were better than ever.
And the show's two principal boys - Linda Campbell (Ali Baba) and Joan Syrett (Princes Haroun) - had great chemistry.
Gareth Evans (Asbad) must also get a mention for an amazing alliteration which has to be seen to be believed
Ian Clarke (Chief Reporter)
CastProducer : Jill Jarman
Musical Director : Ian Futers
Choreographer : Rebecca Crossley
Stage Manager: Sue DuPont
PRESS RELEASE PHOTOGRAPHS
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![]() ![]() September 2010Diary DatesMay Newsletter (1.34 Mb)The MatchgirlsNorthgate High School
27th to 30th Oct
Priority Booking 13th Sep
Christmas PartyKings Head, Dereham
Sat 4th December
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With so many forms of entertainment fighting for our attendtion, it is heart-warming that a tranditional slapstick panto can still pack in the crowds during the busy festive season.





