The Bangkok Community Theatre is calling boys and girls, mums and dads, grannies and grandpas to go along to Creative Industries on Phetchaburi Road for their new production of Aladdin, a traditional British Christmas pantomime.
A pre-Christmas outing for the entire family. Aladdin is directed by Welshman Ian Robinson. Robinson says that many non-Brits misunderstand the nature of British pantomime. He points out that traditional is nothing to do with "mime" and British pantomime is like no other form of theatre entertainment. His Aladdin will be a fun, sparkling, non-stop show with two hours of singing, dancing, jokes and audience participation.
The story is set in Old Peking. Aladdin and his brother Wishee Washee live with their mother the Widow Twankey, known as the best scrubber in China. Mired in poverty, Aladdin dreams of another life as he gazes over the palace wall and sees the royal princess. One day the princess goes for a walk through the old city but a proclamation has been made that any man who dares look at the princess will lose his head. Despite the warning, Aladdin gazes at the princess. The empress demands his head and calls for Karie and Oakie, the two palace policemen, to arrest Aladdin. He escapes and our adventures start which include the wicked Abanazer, the Magic Lamp, Genie and all.
The BCT production is an international collaboration of actors living in Bangkok. Performers are from Thailand, the UK, USA, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
Aladdin will be played by Ricardo Hizon and the princess by Leela Saeng, both popular local singers. Hizon trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Australia and Saeng at Tring Park School for Performing Arts in the UK.
No British-style pantomime would be complete without a traditional panto "Dame", who is always played by a man. This year, Michael Allman will be stepping into the "frock".
Aladdin will be performed at Creative Industries, M-Theatre on Phetchaburi Road. There are 10 public performances. Evening performances are on Fridays and Saturdays (Dec 2, 3, 9, 10), starting at 7.30pm. Saturday matinees (Dec 3 and 10) are at 2.30pm. On Sundays (Dec 4 and 11) shows are at 1.30pm and 6pm. Standard tickets are 950 baht, which includes one free drink and a mince pie. For children below the age of 13, student tickets are available for certain performances. These are 700 baht and may be purchased for Sunday performances and the 2.30pm performances on Saturdays. Visit www.bangkokcommunitytheatre.com/tickets.
