Aladdin and his magic lamp for Christmas
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from December 1989.
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Aladdin and His Magic Lamp is directed by Colin Wilson who has also amalgamated four separate versions of the pantomime into one together with some original material he has written himself.
The story of Aladdin is centred around a penniless Chinese family called Twankey who set up a laundry in the Sultan's palace. The youngest son, Aladdin, falls in love with the Sultan's only daughter, Zadia. The Twankey family, comprising Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee and the mother Widow Twankey are banished from the palace and meet up with the evil magician Abanazar and his assistant, the lovely Genie of the Ring. Abanazar wants to own the world and the only way to achieve this is to obtain a magic lamp hidden in a cave, where the powerful Genie of the Lamp resides. That the cave is inhabited by a dragon and the deadly stalagmites doesn't deter Abanazar especially when he persuades Aladdin to retrieve it for him. How it all works out, you will have to see for yourself.
There are many new faces in the cast and some familiar ones who are not associated with stage acting although they are well known in the entertainment field. Barrie Quappe (of the singing duo Chuck and Barrie) is in the title role of Aladdin with the drag queen of Cayman, Peach Blossom, making "Her" acting debut as Widow Twankey. Princess Zadia is played by Samantha de Freitas, Abanazar by the ever improving Tony Morwood Leyland, Wishee Washee by Peter O'Sullivan and the Sultan by Piers Hill.
The two Genies are also played by newcomers, Janice Huckleby (Ring) and Roger Healey (Lamp). With Jack and Evelyn Andresen, a cast of over thirty, half being children, and a visit to each performance from Santa Claus himself, Aladdin promises to be fun for all. Producer is Penny Phillips, Musical Director Chuck Quappe and Choreography is by Kim Morris. Aladdin is playing at The Harquail Theatre for a short run Friday and Saturday 5 and 6 January and from Monday through Saturday 8 to 13 January all at 7.30 pm with a special matinee performance at 3.00 pm on Saturday 13. Tickets are children $5, and adults $10 and obtainable from Phillips Electrical or J.E.C Building Consultants.
