Aladdin - Prince Edward Theatre

It's really not necessary to try and make smart comments which take mine out of context. No, nobody is shocked that there is a flying carpet in Aladdin. That wasn't the point being made. It is just the opinion of some that we would rather not know how the flying is achieved. But now it would appear that, in the spirit of good will, some posters' opinions are mocked.

Hm. Cheers.

You're right. No-one.



Oh jee, thanks I shall.

The fact that you were so quick to defend your actions proves that you recognise my post may reflect your own actions. Which is enough for me. Apology accepted.

Absolutely charmed by 'Aladdin' this evening, bit of a childhood dream to see this fully imagined on stage after being taken as a treat to see the film at Odeon Leicester Square which opened with a show & a trip to DisneyWorld in my youth & boy it didn't disappoint!

I love that it's essentially 'Aladdin' but it's own identity on its stage translation - I thought I'd miss no 'Abu' but I loved the friends element in its place!

The ensemble dance numbers are pure joy & I don't think I stopped grinning from start to finish, oh and I laughed!!

I knew from 'In the Heights' that Jade had star potential and she shone tonight!

Absolutely loved 'Genie', I have nothing to compare him to so he's my original stage 'Genie' - I got a lump in my throat in Act 1 when he talked about being free!

Loved the magic carpet effect & 'Friend like me' was genius (loved 'B&TB' reference).

I admit I'm not being critical but it charmed me & I loved it, I can't even critic 'bad behaviour in the audience' (it was a 'Full House' too) & all lovely audience people (well around me in row C30 stalls) kids all well behaved & entranced throughout (was sheer relief as its righty a family show so of course kids are going to be there!).

No sound issues for me, ok I can give one critic but the 'Whole New World reprise' in the finale is drowned out by the ensemble that you can't hear 'Aladdin' & 'Jasmine' sing their final moment!!

Needless to say I loved it!!!

Oh I'm very grateful (to you guys) for the tip off about the special preview rate...I dread to think what my £49.50 seat will actually be once its premiered!

Oh and it's only under a week in and wouldn't have a clue it was a preview performance..very polished already!!

Looked forward to hearing thoughts of this, it's going to be running a good while I reckon!

Can't believe anyone would be so stupid as to pay that. Especially anyone with kids!

Delfont, actually I think it was Disney official site thinking about it. They seem to now have their own allocation. That's the price row f stalls when I checked yesterday

Disney tickets shows exactly the same availability as DM to me....

Saw this tonight. Visually utterly spectacular - costumes glittered, colour everywhere. The set is extraordinary, the inside of the cave, the incredible flying carpet and the sparkling stars. A feast for the eyes, I tell ya!

So that is the good. Genie was terrific, as was Dean John-Wilsons Aladdin. Still previews so the cast are doing really very well.

But.

It takes a long time to build the story, it's a slight piece anyway, filling it with dance emphasis that. 1st act dragged.

But it looks blooming wonderful.

Ushers out in force around the stalls, esp in the flying carpet scene (watching out for filming?).

Loge 6 you miss a bit of the action (not enough to stop me loving those seats). Anyone in Loge 1 or 6 be advised to go to the loo in the interval (not a show spoiler).

Adding, curtain call, final bow to Aladdin rather than Genie, but the huge roar from the crowd was for the Genie, felt a bit odd.

Must rest eyes from the sparkle onslaught ....

Restricted views for how much??! Total daylight robbery...

Saw this last night and absolutely loved it. I mean let's face it as much as they've tried to detract from it, the show can't help having a Panto feel about it. But I don't think that's a negative now I've seen it, I love a good Panto as does most of the country and this is a Panto on steroids. There are some truly spectacular moments including Friend Like Me & The Magic Carpet (honestly couldn't see how it was done).

I know they are still in previews and are still finding moments but for me, as someone else said on here, this is a show of the sidekicks. The three friends & Iago really stood out for me. I for one didn't miss Abu or Jasmine's tiger and really liked how they thought let's keep it human, Lion King fufilled bringing animals to life so let's just stick to real people. Also I think it's funny seeing so many people online talk about how Abu has been replaced by three friends when in fact the three friends were replaced by Abu. Great to have them back in as we get to have Howard Ashmans brilliant Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim & High Adventure (definitely my fave song) reinstated.

I loved the commeradery & comedy between Babkak, Omar, Aladdin & Kassim but felt when Aladdin is on his own & with Jasmine he's pretty arrogant and cocky. I think Dean is a talented performer no doubt (maybe loves himself a little too much after seeing him at stage door) and I think a lot of it is in the writing but I found myself liking Aladdin the least. Trevor's Genie is stand out amazing, how he survives Friend Like Me I'll never know it is one of the most hectic spectacular full out numbers I've seen. The audience applauded for literally 3mins! Jade is beautiful as Jasmine you don't feel like she's featured much but in her song and A Whole New World she's stunning. As I said the carpet is magical, I would have loved for it to fly out into the audience but as it was it was still brilliant.

Then came High Adventure definitely my favourite moment. I think it's because it comes out of nowhere, you've had all the big production numbers you've had in the film and then this song comes along full of really funny moments, big swashbuckling orchestrations, amazing vocals from the three guys (it's really high) and a big sword fight! Just brilliant.

I only had a couple of gripes, I felt that Jafar and Iago were let down by always having to perform in a front cloth scenario. I would have loved for them to have a set to work with. That coupled with Jafar's performance were what made it feel Panto the most. I would have liked Aladdin to have been written better and I felt the ending was so rushed. Jafar getting the lamp and being overcome to the end is all done in like the last 5min.

Other than that though I think it's worth every penny, you can see where your ticket money is going it's definitely on lavish costumes, props and set pieces. I hate paying £60+ for a bare stage with 4 actor muso's. It's a fun night out with huge production numbers that you won't see elsewhere in the west end. It's definitely worth a watch and I'll be going back again once it's settled in.

4.5 stars from me!

The investors will CERTAINLY be pleased



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