1998 - Aladdin
Programme Cover
Cast Photos
From Focus Magazine, March 1998
Aladdin - A Critique Wicked! - Oh yes it is!
It started with a very orderly birthday party for Princess Shahroo (Elizabeth Hayden), who together with her lovely sister, Shahree (Shopie Hughes), are both rising starts of the royal court and no doubt, the Edlesbray Players.
At the party, a large number of well behaved girls (1st Eaton Bray Brownies) played, sung, listened to a story, ate cake and went meekly home again – well, it is a fairy tale! But as the father of the birthday girl was prone to chop heads off freely, perhaps that affected the guests’ behaviour.
Now, the aforementioned father, King Shahryad (John Plater), well known for his wicked treatment of women, must have female company at night since he is afraid of the dark - well, it is a fairy tale! But, due to previous bad experiences with women, feels the need to behead his companion the next morning. He had, however, more than met his match with Queen Shahrazade (Barbara Morton), famous not just for the power of her exceptional voice but for her power over men through telling them stories...
And so we go on a journey, translated to China to meet Aladdin (Sonia Westcott), possessor of a fine pair of dimples formerly owned by Buttons, Maid Marion and several others, but still as lovely as ever. Aladdin has the good fortune to be the beloved child of Widow Twanky (Gordon Gray), who probably also has dimples although I don’t know exactly where. The widow is a modest and softly spoken creature, with a most refined taste in hats.
Now, we all know wicked people like accountants and estate agents, don’t we? It so happens that two right villains now appear (Peter Bennett and Robert Brook) and our attention is turned to magic lamps and genies. The genie of the ring (Brian Wyke), meek and colourful, and that of the lamp (Donna Hughes), most glittering and high in decibels, later find themselves under the joint ownership of the aforementioned widow and villain: anticipating future power struggles they decide to marry to avoid conflict - well it is a fairy tale!
I won’t go on; we’ve all seen the video – although even Disney was lacking one distinctive twist to spring uniquely from the fertile mind of the author (Val Trantum). Aladdin has one consuming desire in life; gold, jewels, genies, magic lamps, even the lovely Princess herself (Lisa Ayres) all come second to his desire to own a rabbit (Christine Woodley)... a rabbit?
But what a rabbit! Who would not welcome this furry creature as a pet? An appreciation society is sure to spring up among the villagers of Edlesbray; I am thinking of starting one myself. At the Saturday matinee, she was especially appreciated by one of her own little bunnies, who was not fooled by the costume. I expect she had been hopping around at home for weeks before - and probably still is.
One highlight of the event was the cast’s energetic rendition of “If I was not...” from which members of the audience were not excluded. The chosen few could enjoy with abundant delight having their ears poked and their arms ripped off. Another novelty was the first appearance of the new Vicar, Michael Abbot. He was successfully turned away from last year’s performance, but this year managed to insinuate his way in and was discovered trying to drum up business.
The performance of the panto may be said to be part of the cultural richness of village life - well, we are still talking fairy tales - and provided Jobsworth (Bob Stilliard), doesn’t put a tax on it, we’ll all be enjoying another one next year!!
Many congratulations to Val Trantum and the cast for another successful production, to which so many people contribute hugely. Those of us who sit in the audience probably don’t fully appreciate just how much effort and enthusiasm is expended for our annual delectation!
Anon
Aladdin with the 1st Eaton Bray Brownies
This was the second time that I performed with the Brownies. It was great fun! I Thought that Aladding (Sonia Westcott) was great! And I thought that everyone else was great as well! The audience loved it, but next year I will be too old to be a Brownie! But never mind because next year I might be the star of the show!
Hayley Thorne - Age 10
From Dunstable Gazette, Thursday January 22, 1998
Oh yes it's panto from the Players
EDLESBRAY Players are staging their fifth production with a performance of the panto Aladdin.
The show - entertaining for both children and adults - is directed by Val Trantum and features characters such as Aladdin, Widow Twanky, Hankie, Pankie and Jobsworth.
This year the group has provided completely new scenery - something to note for people who have noticed the same palace or forest background in several productions.
The show is staged from tonight (Thursday) until Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
From Leighton Buzzard Observer, Thursday January 22, 1998
It's Twanky, Hankie, Panie and Aladdin: Oh yes it is!
THE Edlesbray Players are staging their fifth production from today - a performance of Aladdin.
Each year the volunteers devote weeks of their free time to rehearse for the pantomime they are putting on.
The show, which will be entertaining for both children and adults, is directed by Val Trantum and features characters such as Aladdin, Widow Twanky, Hankie, Pankie and Jobsworth to name but a few.
This year the group have provided completely new scenery - something to note for all those who have been before and may have noticed the same palace or forest background in several productions.
The show takes place from tonight (Thursday) until Saturday at 7.30pm, plus matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, at Eaton Bray Village Hall.
