Aladdin
By Charles Philip
Directed by: Adrian Barrett
Production Dates: 22nd-24th January 2026
Location: Durley Memorial Hall
PHOTOS
Rehearsal photographs by Pete Hallmann
PRESS RELEASE
Step into a world of magic, mischief, and mountains of laughter as Bishopstoke Players bring the classic pantomime Aladdin to life!
Join us in the bustling streets of Old Baghdad, where young Aladdin dreams of escaping his everyday life and finding a brighter future. Armed with a mysterious magic lamp and a larger-than-life Genie, he sets out on his quest to make himself rich and to marry the beautiful Princess Jasmine.
But who will help him? Will it be his mum, Widow Twanky, or his brother Wishy Washy? Can he escape the wicked schemes of the evil Abanazar Jaffa and his hapless sidekicks?
This timeless love story of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine makes for a show bursting with all the ingredients of a perfect family pantomime! Whether you’re 5 or 95, this spectacular production promises unforgettable fun for all ages. Bring the whole family and make magical memories together!
Performances are at Durley Memorial Hall (Durley Brook Road, SO32 2AR) from Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th January at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
As we are proud to have done every year since 1947, proceeds will be donated to the charity Action for Children.
REVIEWS
Scene One Plus
https://sceneoneplus.com/aladdin-14/
Bishopstoke Players : Durley Memorial Hall, Durley : Susanna Greenwood : 22 January 2026
Aladdin marks Bishopstoke Players’ fifth pantomime at Durley Memorial Hall. This lively comic production follows Aladdin, a poor but kind-hearted young man dreaming of a better life. He falls in love with Princess Jasmine and, with the help of a magical lamp containing a powerful Genie, attempts to outwit the evil villain Abanazar Jaffa.
Audience interaction is the heart of pantomime, turning the show into a shared, noisy, and joyful experience. It is in these moments – when ad-libbing and responding to heckles from the vocal audience – that the cast really shine. Ella Cannavo’s energetic, warm and engaging performance as Wishy Washy sets the tone. The duet between Wishy Washy and Felix Barrett’s Aladdin is another highlight, showcasing a lovely chemistry between the two performers.
Princess Jasmine does not have a great deal to get stuck into in this particular retelling of the tale, but she is played sweetly by Isla Boswell. Steve Hunter’s Widow Twankey is key to keeping the action moving throughout. While his first entrance could have been more impactful, his confidence grows with each scene, further encouraged by the audience interruptions. Widow Twankey also leads some of the larger musical numbers well.
There is some enjoyable comedy business involving the duo Rattle and Hum, played by Dylan Smith and Maxx Graves, alongside Kevin Bowers as the villain, Abanazar Jaffa. Dan Sims’ performance as a rather lazy and perpetually hungry Genie is one of the stand out turns – flamboyant and full of character. It’s also impossible not to mention the younger cast members, who really shine in this production. Nesta and Effie Flynn bring delightful energy and confident delivery, sprinkling panto magic dust in every appearance. As expected on a first night, there were some nerves evident, including a few lengthy pauses. However, in most cases the actors handled this well, ad-libbing until any audience awkwardness quickly disappeared.
Aladdin’s exotic setting usually conjures a feast for the eyes, and while there are some colourful costumes, the set is minimalist and, with no great technical feats, a little dull. However, the directorial influence shines through as key moments are cleverly reimagined. Without giving spoilers, the entrance to Aladdin’s cave and the elephant stand out as fun examples of the quirky humour throughout the show. There were perhaps some missed opportunities involving Widow Twankey’s Laundry and the wash-o-matic, one of the few set pieces.
As with every good pantomime the humour is double-edged to cater for audiences of all ages. Adriano Sapelli’s performance as Sultan Pepper, complete with a well-executed King Charles impersonation, allows for topical references and jokes at the expense of disgraced royalty – many sailing over the heads of younger audience members while leaving the rest of us squirming with delight.
It is clear that both audience and performers are having a wonderful time with this show. With further performances on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th January, this is a fine example of what local community panto should be.
Encore Reviews
https://www.instagram.com/encore.south/p/DT1RklBitGY
🎭 Review 🎭
Aladdin
@bishopstokeplayers
“A Shining Shimmering January Tradition”
January can be a bit of a “dull” month, but my calendar always has one bright spot: the annual Bishopstoke Players pantomime! I’ve been coming for years and it truly wouldn’t feel like the start of the year without their guaranteed smiles and laughter.
This year, the group are back at Durley Memorial Hall with a traditional telling of Aladdin. While the Players belong in their original Bishopstoke venue, the atmosphere at Durley was electric – filled with friends, family and a crowd ready for some serious heckling! Plus, it’s all for a fantastic cause, raising funds and awareness for Action for Children.
The cast brought so much energy to the stage: Felix Barrett was a strong, charismatic Aladdin alongside Isla Boswell, who made a perfectly sweet Princess Jasmine. Kevin Bowers was brilliantly “evil” as Abanazar Jaffa, while Steve Hunter had us in stitches as Widow Twankey (those costumes were everything!). Ella Cannavo was a total standout as Wishy Washy, and Adriano Sapelli gave us a hilariously “King Charles-esque” Sultan Pepper. A special shoutout to the show-stealers: Effie Flynn and Nesta Flynn as the Wazirs. They were simply superb! 🌟
Director Adrian Barrett, Producer Pete Burton and the entire creative team at Bishopstoke Players have once again delivered an entertaining night out that completely beats the winter blues. I’m already looking forward to the next show…
Running until Saturday 24th January at Durley Memorial Hall. Get your tickets and join the fun!
Reviewed by Ryan for Encore South