There is something resolutely disturbing about pantos. The 'heroes' are played by women and they snog real women princesses (or similar). And to think of the prices they charge in London to watch the same. And the costumes were better. And small children. And a camel! Something for the Michael Jackson in you...
Aladdin's community cast put on a splendidly entertaining show that possessed an endearing school panto awkwardness in places and cracked the whip of entertainment with professional glee over the full houses during its shamefully curtailed run. Elliciting goo-goo sentiments Widow Twanky's little blighters pulled heartstrings for the assembled slush puppies during the songs You Bring and Life Wont Let Us Down; all sung with a Julie Andrews drive, but no gingham.
Despite the galaxy of talent on show here, there were a few supernovas burning bright in the constellation. Justin Webb was in danger of upstaging himself as his Widow Twanky battled with his/her dress, camping it up terribly well, jiggling about like two pigs in a sack. Vamping it up by class lines such as declaring him/herself to be a "harem in my own right."
And Nik Brooks' Abanazar stalked and prowled with the requisite menace coming over like Dr John on bad acid (more hocus pocus magic than mumbo gumbo) shrieking like a blouse possessed. Beckoning forth "Boo's" and "Hisses" as if it were second nature, and falling into the pointy shoes of the baddie with a knowing style and flair.
So there were lots of local reference points to add a bit of relevance to the panto format for the punters. Top dollar for Christmas entertainment that didn't bow to the commercial bollocks of drafting in disinterested "stars of the screen" to pay for double-glazing their drinks cabinet. Huzzah!
Andy Jex

YOU can't park there!
Traffic warden Robert Scoble couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Humphrey the camel, one of the stars of Aladdin at the Barbican Theatre's Christmas panto, obstructing traffic during a publicity stunt.
The puzzled warden entered into the spirit of the event and jokily slapped a fixed penalty notice on the lofty creature's nose and sent him packing.
Humphrey's costume has just been finished in time for the camel's appearance on stage.
With a fur body, knobbly knees and huge, splayed feet made by panto designer Gail Rogers and a loveable face with big eyes built by theatre general manager Sarah Pym, Humphrey is already a hit with children.
Tickets for the pantomime are almost sprinting out of the box office. Hugh Janes, who wrote the version of Aladdin which will play to packed audiences from December 15, said: "Little children love him and think he's adorable."
"We've finally finished. We've already sold out four performances and there's not a lot of tickets left."
The panto is a real local effort with professional and amateur actors, director, choreographer and other staff all recruited from staff who work regularly at the theatre.