Come on down, Come on in, Let the Magic Begin!

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words but I think this one is worth 1,001!

Seriously, that poster is gorgeous. I'd say all it's missing is the Aladdin logo but I'm not even sure it needs that. It's like a perfect marriage between the original teaser poster for the animated movie and the colour scheme of the Broadway show. I definitely need one of these to hang on my wall!

Will Smith first shared the poster on Instagram a few hours ago;

View this post on Instagram

LEMME OUT!! 🧞 Can’t wait for y’all to see Me BLUE! :-) #aladdin

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) on Oct 10, 2018 at 12:02pm PDT

Then, when you think it couldn't get any better, Disney Studios took to Twitter to share the poster and revealed that we're GETTING THE TEASER TRAILER TOMORROW!!!

Check out the new teaser poster for Disney’s #Aladdin as debuted by Will Smith. See the first look tomorrow! In theaters May 24th, 2019. pic.twitter.com/vXOZS63yu9

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) 10 October 2018

Ok, a "first look", but come on, it has to be the trailer.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up and failing spectacularly. I know it'll probably just be a teaser trailer that sets the mood but reveals very little, like Beauty and the Beast did with it's first trailer. After all, it's called a teaser for a reason.

I just can't wait to see how Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Will Smith, and all the others look in costume. And I can't wait to hear how they sound when they sing (not that I expect to get that in tomorrow's teaser but a guy can wish, right?).

I've made no secret of the fact that I really like this cast and I'm excited to see Disney and Guy Ritchie doing something new rather than a direct adaptation. They've all spent the last year or so making magic. Tomorrow we get our first look at the results. Here's hoping they take us to a whole new world.

And one last thing! I love looking at IMDB and seeing some familiar names from London's Aladdin in the cast! That is just so cool and makes me even more excited for this movie!

Telly Leung to Take Final Bow as Broadway's Aladdin

Telly Leung and Major Attaway as Aladdin and Genie with the cast of Broadway's Aladdin, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Today Telly Leung announced that he will be taking his final bow as Broadway's Aladdin next year after almost two years as Disney's favourite Diamond in the Rough. Taking to social media, Telly wrote;

Well, it's time. Time to depart Agrabah. My last day as a street rat on Broadway will be on Sunday, February 17, 2019 - so if you haven't seen it, get your tickets now! I'm filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience. Not only was it a dream-come-true to lead a Broadway musical as a Disney prince, but it was also a chance to meet some of the most talented artists and kindest humans ever assembled under one theatrical roof. There is something magical happening at The New Am (on and off stage) and I am forever thankful for the chance to be a part of the Aladdin - The Musical family. Thanks to everyone who supported me on this incredible carpet ride. The countdown begins - and I intend to go out savoring every joyful minute of this experience. #agrahbye #teladdin

Broadway's Aladdin is currently booking through to March 2019 so you can get tickets for the remainder of Telly's run right now at the show's official website. There's even great seats left for his final shows so make sure you get your tickets sooner rather than later!

It's unusual for a cast change at Aladdin to be announced this far in advance, so if you haven't seen Telly in the role, make sure you take this chance!

Personally, I'm sad that I likely won't get the chance to see Telly before he finishes his run. I know he's been an incredible Aladdin and I wish I could have seen that in person.

Telly, I just want to wish you a magical remainder of your run and thank you for all that you have brought to the character. Keep making magic.

Aladdin London to Close Next Year

I can't find the right words for this. I was genuinely shocked this morning when I learnt that Aladdin will be closing in the West End next year, making way for a new production of Mary Poppins.

The first I knew about it was when I saw Facebook advert for Mary Poppins. My first thought was that it would be a limited run to tie into Mary Poppins Returns when that comes out this Christmas. A moment later I saw the date, 2019, and the theatre, the Prince Edward, and my heart sank.

Now, I want to say I am in no way wanting to take anything away from Mary Poppins. I'm happy for all the cast and creative team, and excited to see their new production when it opens. But Aladdin will always have my heart, and I am heart broken that the show is closing next year.

In the announcement of Mary Poppins' return it was confirmed that Aladdin will be granting it's final West End wishes on Saturday 31st August 2019.

I've saw the show on it's first West End preview, on opening night, and many more times since. But today's news really hit home that I haven't seen it anywhere near as much as I'd like to. I have just under a year to change that. And you can bet I'll be there on the last night too, even if they don't sell tickets and I have to sneak in through a skylight or something crazy, I'll be there.

You should be there to. Not necessarily closing night, but if you care about this show enough to read this blog, and you live in the UK, then you should go again (because I'm assuming most of you reading this will have already been at least once). We have one year left to experience the joy and magic of this show live on stage, and we should seize every chance we get to do so.

The silver lining is that the show's run hasn't really been cut short. Beauty and the Beast ran for 2 years in London, Mary Poppins' original run was just over 3 years. By the time it closes Aladdin will have also run just over 3 years. I'd need to double check the math but I believe Aladdin will have run just longer than Mary Poppins to be Disney Theatrical's second longest running show in the West End (and if you count the preview performances it definitely is).

And it's not closing mid-booking period. The show is currently booking through to February 9th, so there's at least one more booking extension to come, and the current cast contracts, based on the show's history, are likely to run through to June. Hopefully everyone will agree to extend for the show's final months, but it's nice to think that no one is having their existing contract cut short because of this.

So yeah, I'm trying to be positive. And on that positive note, both Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins followed their West End runs with a UK National Tour. So maybe the show, like Genie, isn't going away, it's just hitting the road. I know both Matthew Croke (Aladdin) and Leon Craig (Babkak, Stand By Genie) are Northerners, so I'm wishing with all my might that they get to headline a national tour together and play to their home crowd. I've said before I'd love for Leon to do a UK tour as Genie, sure this wasn't how I pictured it happening but I'd still love for it to happen.

For now though, we still have a year left with this amazing show and this incredible cast in the West End. I intend to be there an often as I can to both show my support and just to take in the sheer magic and joy that this show brings.

It's not over yet, so keep making magic everyone.

The Genie is Taking Over Instagram!

Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Deen Van Meer

The Genie is here!

Or at least he will be tomorrow!

Trevor Dion Nicholas is taking over Aladdin's West End Instagram at 1pm (that's 8am for all you New Yorkers!) and answering your questions.

The take over will be happening right here - https://www.instagram.com/aladdinlondon/ - so make sure you check it out.  Maybe you'll even have your wish granted.

Aladdin's Hiba Elchikhe and Irvine Iqbal Star in Broken Wings This Weekend

If you're in London this week make sure you head over the Theatre Royal Haymarket where Hiba Elchikhe (Australia's Jasmine) and Irvine Iqbal (London's Sultan) are starring in the new musical Broken Wings!

Hiba leads the cast as Selma Karamy with Irvine starring as the Bishop.

I wish I'd posted this sooner (and I wish I could go this weekend). You can still get tickets for tomorrow night and Saturday's two shows right here.

Here's wishing everyone involved (especially our Agrabah royalty) a fantastic run!

And here's a little taste of the show;

Broadway Princesses On Tour!

Courtney Reed, Photo by 54 Below

"I'm going to see the world, too"

That's what Jasmine said at the end of The Return of Jafar, and it's just what Broadway's original Jasmine is doing!

Yes, Courtney Reed is hitting the road with Susan Egan (Broadway's original Belle), Laura Osnes (Broadway's original Cinderella) and their Fairy Godfairy, Benjamin Rauhala, as they take the Broadway Princess Party on a US tour!

And they've launched a website!!

But that's not all! A guest Prince will be joining our royal heroines in every city, and first up is Courtney's Aladdin - Adam Jacobs!!

Adam will be joining the princesses in LA on 17th August at the Club Kraftland theatre (above That's from Disneyland) and in Minneapolis and Chicago as well!

Tickets are on sale now for LA, Minneapolis (18th August), Chicago (19th August) and Newark (15th September) and are coming soon for Overland Park (18th January), Lincoln (19th January) and Bellevue (26th January).

In their own words; "casual attire is permitted, but princess prizes will be awarded for the best cosplay costumes!"

And if you want a little teaser, here's Adam and Courtney, reunited at the last Princess Party, performing 'A Whole New World' together for the first time since they both finished their Aladdin runs earlier this year;

Some things you just never get tired of hearing. These two will always be my Aladdin and Jasmine.

Disney Theatrical's Summer Pop Up Opens Tomorrow in London

Aladdin's costumes on display at West End Live 2016

Disney Theatrical is debuting it's first ever summer pop up in London's Covent Garden tomorrow and, just like Prince Ali, to view them they're charging no fee!

From tomorrow through to Sunday 26th August, visitors to the experience will get to view the iconic masks and costumes from Disney's sensational The Lion King up close and in person, then say the magic words and enter Aladdin's cave of wonders for a photo experience with the Genie's lamp.

But that's not all!

Throughout the month guests will have the chance to attend cast signings, MAC make up demonstrations, learn some of the magical music and choreography, and see performances from these incredible shows.

Head on over to Disney on Stage right now for the full schedule. Just remember, events are first come first served so be sure to get there in plenty of time if there's something you really want to do!

I hope everyone going has a magical time!

Here's what the Aladdin got up to last time they were in Covent Garden earlier this year;