MBOMBELA – Penryn Preparatory School learners recently took part in the first stage production of 2015, Aladdin Trouble, a pantomime musical that portrayed a captivating new take on the classic tale of Aladdin.
The cast, consisting of grades four to seven learners, were decked out in a kaleidoscope of different colours with their elaborate Arabian-themed costumes setting the scene.
The central story told of the beautiful Scheherazade (Shelby Guerin), who married the Sultan (James Steytler). He was infamous for executing his brides on their wedding night. She needed to save every minute by telling stories which sparked the Sultan’s interest. Once she lost his interest, she would be beheaded. Therefore she went into detail with the narrative of Aladdin, with a few extra moments of tomfoolery and life lessons along the way.
Aladdin also met up with the Genie (Wendy Pinto) and his famous golden lamp, who granted Aladdin three wishes.
The script featured some interesting commentary on current popular culture as well as when Genie remarked that Aladdin had made wise wishes.
“I am proud of Aladdin, he did not even wish for Zayn Malik to go back to One Direction,” she said.
The acting was of a high quality with Ané Davey impressing the audience in her role as the evil wizard Abanazar, who tried everything in her power to stop Jasmine (Roxy Bedingham) and Aladdin (Ofentse Manana) from marrying. Her trusty sidekick Wantu also provided some comic relief with his observations much to Abanazar’s chagrin.
Another plot line also provided for comic relief on the Wishy Washy laundry company’s and Widow Twankey’s escapades. There were also numerous songs that were sung during the musical such as “Just three wishes” and “Things go together perfectly”.
A standing ovation must be given to Penryn Prep teachers, Ruth Naudé and Jacqui van As,who were
responsible for arranging and directing the panto-musical.
