Theatre
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ALADDIN SECC, Glasgow, until Sun 9 Jan ●●●●●
If you think this arena spectacular violates that unspoken rule of knowing crapness in pantomime by promising 3D graphics and a celebrity star for whom the phrase ‘it’s behind you’ unusually couldn’t be applied to his career, think again. The SECC’s Aladdin proves a family Christmas show that’s surprisingly crapper than most.
Dashing bidialectal Scots-American John Barrowman’s all-singing, all- flouncing presence in the lead role (many amusing nod and winks are made from the absurdity of a high- profile gay entertainer pursuing a beautiful princess) is balanced out by him being placed opposite ghosts of Christmases past The Krankies. Their blue double-entendres keep parents chuckling, though Jimmy’s midget SuBo caricature’s squirting pussycat is taking things much too far.
The 3D genie would have looked laughable even in the pre-Avatar age, and even if the computer hadn’t crashed during the climactic final rubbing of the lamp scene – at which point a valiantly ad-libbing Barrowman may have wanted to use that last wish to set himself free. (Malcolm Jack)
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Fri 10 Dec ●●●●●
Mixing contemporary tunes with a traditional storyline, the King’s performance of Snow White is suitably glittery, family-oriented and fun.
The cast are solid throughout. Darius Campbell
(previously Danesh) provides a teeth-clenchingly sincere and Scots-laden take on Prince Charming, the usual tights and hat combo replaced with a kilt. The show’s highlights have to be Still Game’s Gavin
Mitchell as court jester Muddles and Steven McNicoll as henchman Herman. The pair’s timing and delivery is impeccable, offering a Marx-brothers-style take on panto slapstick and pithy one-liners about current affairs. While the unfortunate loss of Gerard Kelly earlier this year has obviously had an impact on the company, Mitchell in particular appearing emotional when honouring his former colleague prior to the show’s finale, the spirit of good old- fashioned ‘it’s behind you’ Scottish panto is evident in strong, warm productions such as this. A seasonal staple for 2010. (Lauren Mayberry)
THE SECRET GARDEN Edinburgh Festival Theatre, until Sat 8 Jan ●●●●●
A musical about deep-rooted grief may seem an odd choice for a Christmas show, but somehow The Secret Garden manages to inject enough love and hope to rise above the misery. An imaginative set and some truly superb vocals also help turn Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, published 100 years ago, into a moving and occasionally witty production for modern audiences.
Left an orphan when her parents die of cholera in British
colonial India, Mary Lennox (played with remarkable assurance by 11-year-old Sophie Kavanagh) is shipped to the wilds of Yorkshire, and a mansion filled with secrets and memories. A love of nature, and a determined spirit, help Mary drag her new family out of a 10-year period of mourning and into the future. At times, separating out what’s real from what’s imagined, who’s dead and who’s alive, may prove difficult for younger audience members, but even during moments of confusion, the soaring voices carry you through. (Kelly Apter)
16 Dec 2010 – 6 Jan 2011 THE LIST 101