Aladdin

[mkmswain]

Posted: 5/18/16 at 5:37am

Has anyone seen Aladdin yet? Is it worth catching in the West End?

[lotiloti]

Posted: 5/18/16 at 8:17am

I thought it was sh*te  in  NY., No reason to believe it will be any better.  So I will be giving it a very wide swerve

[James1969]

Posted: 5/18/16 at 9:14am

Previews don't start till 27th May - I'm seeing it 7th June

[nataliealana]

Posted: 5/21/16 at 1:48pm

I saw it in New York. It's pretty much the film. It's not bad, the songs, costumes, story etc is all very entertaining- but the same as the film.

[dgjbear]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 6:14am

I watched the film last year and thought it dated (weird for an animation). I wish Disney would have brought over Hunchback of Notre Dame as the score is fantastic. I wont be bothering with Aladdin. Panto with finance.

[James1969]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 10:47am

On what do you base the "Panto with finance" statement ? Especially as you haven't seen it

[Posner11]

Posted: 6/6/16 at 4:57pm

The panto with finance is not actually that far of the mark (Spoilers galore ahead) as they have gone back to the tale and the much missed Howard Ashmans original draft rather than just remake the movie on stage.(no Monkey - Aladdin has a gang of 3 sidekicks ) For British eyes it will be a case of seen this all before at the local theatre panto - yes money spent on costumes and the Genie cave but otherwise there’s no wow moment to really fire it above a standard Panto bar the Disneyfication.

Many scenes are performed before a front screen backdrop while scenery is changed behind (just like Panto) and the villain and his sidekick are very much of panto standard complete with them practicing their evil laugh they really are badly written and are the weakest part of the show. 

Lots of headgear and some props going awry in the preview and one short technical stop just before the flying carpet scene – this is played with darkened staged and the carpet twists and turns on the stage area, certainly less effective than seeing Chitty or Mary Poppins fly. When the carpet makes a return in daylight scene near the end there is no disguising the wires. 

The plus side is the genuine stage chemistry between the two main leads and the genie  - The overwhelming adult crowd in on Sat night seemed pleased rather than overwhelmed - it did get a nearly full S.O. by the time Genie/Aladdin took their bows but while strong applause there did seem a slight air of “is that it” about the show and its a surprise something quite so padded and lightweight has been such a success on Broadway but it is obvious there is a lot of love for the movie version

Not too much overkill in the merchandise as yet - exclusive London branded T shirt and Mug, no poster or brochure yet  - a stuffed genie Bear will cost you £25.
With the £4 programme you also get given a card with the hashtag #wishgranted on but looking on twitter this has not taken off yet. 

If you want a fun colourful show this fits the bill but considering the creative team its a bit of a let down that they have produced something so standard– The ensemble cast are hardworking and full on and have the drive and performance you wish the departed Miss Saigon cast had shown – Main highlight for me was a great extended large action/dance swordfight scene in the second act – and “a whole new world” will stick in your head for days after seeing this show – will be interesting to see the reviews 
 

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/6/16 at 5:29pm

It is absolutely worth seeing this show for Trevor Dion Nicholas. he is INCREDIBLE.

[Justin D]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:22am

so in London, when the carpet comes back on you could see the wires?

 

If so that is so disappointing because when I saw the show on Broadway, I was very close to the front and could not see any wires at all (and I was looking hard for them)

[Princeton2]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 2:40pm

I was 5 rows from the front and couldn't see the wires at the end. Loved it personally, jafar sadly is too panto like but the rest didnt feel panto ish to me (and why is panto a bad thing anyway).

Its a great adaption of the movie and i dont miss abu or rajar at all. In fact the three friends are a big highlight.

Also there was lots of merchandise when i went 2nd preview, more than just listed above.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 9:44pm

isnt Cynthia on vacation from the color purple to see her boyfriend in Aladdin? People, try to find Cynthia in the audience!

[rjm516]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 11:13am

^, yes I was in the 4th row, amazing seats, but could see the wires and so the carpet was like a children's show for me. So so disappointing. But like I said, I would pay full price just to watch Friend Like Me again. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/17/16 at 12:00am

http://www.theatermania.com/los-angeles-theater/news/aladding-opening-night-photos-london_77485.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=16jun2016

[nataliealana]

Posted: 6/20/16 at 9:52am

rjm516 said: "It is absolutely worth seeing this show for Trevor Dion Nicholas. he is INCREDIBLE."

 

He was my genie when I saw it in NY and he was insanely good.

And for the magic carpet, it was so well done on Broadway I can only assume that it was actual magic..