These things just keep getting bigger and better!

"Oh no, they don’t!" "Oh yes, they do!"

The pantomime Aladdin was a real treat for young and old alike. It was obvious much thought had gone into this year’s production directed with aplomb by Fran Taylor who inscrutably led a bunch of worthless n’er do well amateurs and, after hours of selfless toil, turned them into the talented and sophisticated performers we saw on the night! (Or so she tells me – only joking!)

Vince Jones doubled as the producer and the evil villain Abanazer, the cast assured me he had put a lot of himself into this part but that in real life he is not so warm and fluffy! Since the disappearance of the diamante dog collar and lead used upon the beautiful and talented Princess So-Shy, sweetly played by Amy Jones, his infamy in the village is assured.

How talented are the Jenkins family? Sorry - not very - is not the right answer. Jenny and Alan did a great job, stealing the show with their excellent acting, smooth ad-libbing and enthusiastic cross dressing. It was obvious they both enjoyed being on the wrong side of the law for a change; the law being brilliantly played by Senan Jehu and Phil Wylie and ably assisted by bobbies on the beat William Parmiter and Jonathan Tooth – their chaotic slapstick clowning enlivening many scenes.

Jane Jones and Jinny Jehu wowed the male members of the audience – as the sultry genies of ring and lamp, although Jane’s rhyming was slightly damp.... squibbish. (Sorry Jane I need your poetic touch). They both looked gorgeous and mesmerised us with their magic performances.

Not to be forgotten and personally my favourite part was the Sultana’s Harem, played by four lithe young things – Di Bailward, Francis Clifford, Sue Wylie and Jean Berry. Their dazzling rendition of the song ‘Super Trooper’ will haunt me for a long time, a really long time and I do mean that. Even now I have the nightmares as will Dick Corbett-Winder the unfortunate Sultana who found himself surrounded by such lovelies. Talking of haunting, Jean Berry’s Mummy was a triumph, Hammer Horror eat your heart out, you could almost smell the fear generated by the duplicitous Emperor Whiffy deliciously portrayed by Rollo Clifford who enjoyed bossing everyone around including emerging talents, the children of Beijing acted by Kitty Clarke, Katie Cardell and Iona Jehu.

Nigel Power was most admirable in his musical accompaniment of the cast, eschewing Bach and Beethoven to embrace the joys of Abba. It was obvious to all that his time in the music halls was not wasted! We also thought the percussion provided by Daniel Wylie was smashing!

The production team deserve a big pat on the back too – lighting, scenery, makeup, props... all were excellent, the crew had obviously worked much harder than the cast who just swanned about, took the glory and ate all the sandwiches at the after party at the Brewers Arms. What me, bitter and twisted with - just one chicken wing to my name - surely not??

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot I really enjoyed the sing song led by Sing Song and Wishee Washee played by the inspiring Millie Clarke and Nikki Singleton – but I just have to say my side of the audience, the side by the bar (now you know why) was definitely better.

"Oh no it wasn’t!" "OH YES IT WAS!"

Sally R Webb