Aladdin Jr (Red)

Anniversary Array of Energy And Colour

Aladdin Jr.

by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin

Dramacube, Hampton Hill Red Cast at Hampton Hill Theatre until 2^nd April

Review by Heather Moulson

What a way for Dramacube to celebrate its tenth anniversary!  The company’s third show in ten months, Aladdin Jr. is its first production of 2022.   Exploring a range of theatres and many talented young performers, aged from seven to fifteen years old, since 2012, the current performers had good cause to celebrate.

Aladdin Jr. is based on Disney’s 1992 Academy-Award-winning film, and the 2014 Broadway and West End hit show.

What can I say about this detailed production and its colourful stage presentation?   A new adaption of this old beloved and traditional story was warmly welcomed, and the audience were drawn in from the start.  The immaculate costumes designed by Hannah Calarco gave an ambience to match every mood and scene.  

This critic saw the Hampton Hill Red Cast, one of a five cast show, and the gifted director Matthew Bunn took on this ambitious task, and succeeded.  The entire cast had tip-top American accents, which stayed consistent for the entire fifty minutes. 

The Red Cast featured the highly watchable Jamie Brinsden as Aladdin and the vibrant Charlotte Azurdia-Latter as Princess Jasmine.  Together with the sharp and witty Genie, Scarlett Simpson, this production exuded an array of energy and colour.   Aladdin’s supporting pals, Babkak, Omar and Kassim all had a good rapport and stage presence, which shone through with just the right amount of humour.  The supporting cast were of a high standard, and mentions should be made to Jafar, the baddie, played by Elliot Wilson and his wisecracking sidekick Iago, beautifully portrayed by Elizabeth Biesty.   However, the whole cast should be commended for their full commitment and high performing standards. 

The production did justice to the strong musical numbers that were adapted by musical directors James Markham and Heather Stockwell, who were also the choreographers of the dance sequences, which were very slickly done.  Leila Simpson was a strong Babkak, and Matilda Cox’s Omar stood out in the number simply entitled Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim. Kassim was played flawlessly by Maya Helon.  The number High Adventure with Babkak, Omar and Kassim was excitingly done, whereas Prince Ali was sung with gusto by Jafar and Iago.  Rajah played by Misty Le Good also deserved a mention.  All was wrapped up neatly with the finale by the whole cast.  The volume of the music did unfortunately drown some of the voices, but the projection was generally clear and did not dampen the show’s ardour.  The choreography worked well and stayed in character.

The production as a whole was also beautifully designed by Hannah Calarco.  A simple set with a consistently powerful backdrop was enhanced by an atmospheric lighting design by Gary Stevenson and Lizzie Lattimore. 

Produced by Stephen Leslie can feel very proud of Aladdin Jr.   If the Hampton Hill Red Cast were anything to go by, the Twickenham Purple, Green and Blue Cast, and the Hampton Hill Yellow Cast had to keep up a very high standard.  I don’t doubt for a moment that they did just that.

Happy Birthday Dramacube!

Heather Moulson, April 2022

Photography by Bomi Cooper