One of the great Disney films has lit up Sydney’s Capitol Theatre, with every man and his genie flocking to see the musical masterpiece.
Disney’s Aladdin has been brought to life and it is a spectacle like no other.
The Tunes
No longer are the iconic songs ‘Prince Ali’, ‘Friend Like Me’ and ‘A Whole New World’ reserved for karaoke nights. The cast sang with such passion and feeling that the whole audience had a childish grin on their faces. Everyone knows these classics and the musical production was a firm reminder of how timeless they are. Supported by a 15-piece orchestra, the crowd was enthralled with every note. At every small break, all you can hear is the passionate applause and cheering from the entertained crowd.
A Modern Genie
Importing the genie from America proved to be a masterful stroke by the producers. Michael James Scott had the audience in the palm of his hand, bringing a modern touch to the classic character dressed in a lavish electric blue costume. A tactical Vegemite mention in the opening minutes gave the script an Australian flavour and cemented his place as the crowd favourite.
Agrabah
You could be forgiven for thinking the entry to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre was actually a portal to the middle-eastern city of Agrabah. The set was a standout in the production, with set movements choreographed to perfection. Dramatic chase scenes within the confines of the stage kept the audience entranced at every step whilst the mechanical brilliance of the flying carpet was a marvel in its own right.
Home Grown Talent
Whilst imports Michael James Scott (Genie) and Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine) gave amazing performances, the local talent was a shining reminder of what Australian theatre has to offer. Ainsley Melham (Aladdin) showed us a whole new world. Adam Murphy (Jafar) and Aljin Abella (Iago) play perfect villains with a comedic twist. Whilst Adam Jon Fiorentino (Kassim), Troy Sussman (Babkak) and Robert Tripolino (Omar) show you what true friendship means.
The show has proven to be a hit with theatre regulars, reminiscing adults and younger kids; and truly has something for everyone. Aladdin is showing at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney until November 20, 2016 then moving onto Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in April 2017.
Tickets available from Ticketmaster for Sydney and Ticketek for Melbourne.
