Aladdin rehearsals in London

It’s been a while since my last blog but now that rehearsals are in full swing I can update you on what’s been going on behind the scenes this year.

Paul Elliott who has written, devised and is directing Aladdin kindly granted permission for me to attend pantomime rehearsals in London this week and I was lucky enough to get the OK from Paul to bring two local journalists and a photographer with me as well – not always possible as you can imagine.

Rehearsals were taking place in what looked like an old school right in the middle of an estate in London – as we got out of the car I wondered whether the people in the flats opposite knew that one of the biggest names in showbiz was rehearsing for the UK’s biggest panto right on their doorstep!

The lovely Ian Sandy, who is Company Manager greeted us and took us into a room where the ensemble were rehearsing one of their amazing dance routines which they had put together that morning – quite something – fast, energetic and fun – I was out of breath just watching them. Photographer busy snapping away the two journalists took notes and did some interviews before Paul came in to say hello and we were invited downstairs to where John Barrowman and the rest of the cast were rehearsing one of the main scenes.

This is really right at the start of putting a production together and it was wonderful to see Paul in action directing, changing lines, moving people around, humming a tune (in place of the band!). We were invited to stay for around 20 minutes which gave the journalists enough time to take further notes and photographs. The Grumbleweeds, who I remember from their brilliant television shows, were hilarious, out of costume and without props the routine they did was still really funny and I can’t wait to see it properly in the panto.

It was great to see John Barrowman in rehearsal, a true professional, moving across the rehearsal floor he rehearsed a scene with the beautiful Princess Yasmin played by Lila McConigley and Masashi Fujimoto who plays her father. I could just picture the water feature and bright costumes on the Hippodrome stage – I glanced at the journalists who were busy writing in their note books when suddenly a roar of a voice was heard across the room. It was Peter Gallagher who is going to play our evil Abanazar. Standing over 6ft he towered over everyone and had a fantastic booming voice for a baddie! - So be prepared to hiss and boo when you see him!

We had the opportunity to see Don Maclean in action. He plays Widow Twankey who is Aladdin’s mother. Don must be one of the best Dame’s in pantoland and he’s a home grown talent too! I remember him on Crackerjack and BBC Radio 2 – and I believe this will be the fifth time he has played Dame here at the Hip.

All too soon rehearsals were over for that morning and the cast were off for a well earned lunch break. God knows where they go to eat though – we were in the middle of nowhere!

Cab booked I gathered the group and we were on our way back to the station bound for Brum – Virgin BLT and coffee all round!

Aladdin company arrive in Birmingham to continue rehearsals next week. Watch this space for updates.