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| Gavin Adams and Desmonda Cathabel as Aladdin and Jasmine in the UK Tour of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Like my Thanksgiving piece on the 10th anniversary this review is something I've been wanting to write for a while, but life this year had other plans. I first saw the tour in Manchester this summer but, as I couldn't write the review at the time, I ultimately decided to hold off until I saw the show again in Liverpool this month.
I've seen the UK tour 4 times now, with 2 more to go, so I think you can safely say I love it. But what can I say about this show that I haven't already said? One of the beautiful parts of live theatre is that shows continually evolve over time, with each cast and production able to add their own take on the characters and material. This is especially true of a show like Aladdin where characters like the Genie are able to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience.
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| Yeukayi Ushe as Genie and the UK Tour ensemble of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Let's get the mixed part of this review out of the way first and talk about some of the physical changes to Aladdin. If you are familiar with the West End (or Broadway) production of the show then you'll notice that several changes have been made to the set and staging for the UK tour. Whether or not these changes were made to accommodate the various theatres on tour, were budget related, or a mix of both is impossible to say but the overall result is, for me, mixed. Sometimes these tweaks made for fun new moments in the choreography, like when Aladdin swayed on a ladder between buildings in 'One Jump Ahead', and I genuinely preferred the staging of Aladdin and Jasmine remaining on the carpet through to their kiss at the end of 'A Whole New World', but sadly there's also a couple of times where the change wasn't as effective, most notably with the entrance to the Cave of Wonders now being a projection rather than a set piece.
If you've never seen the show before then none of these will affect your enjoyment of it, but I felt the differences were worth mentioning for those who, like myself, have seen the show go through multiple iterations. There's also been a fairly big choreography change for 'Prince Ali' compared with the West End production, but that change isn't unique to the UK Tour and the same revised choreography is currently used on Broadway, and presumably in all currently running productions, as well (and, as I said in my 10th anniversary piece, the new choreography is great but I do miss Abu's cameo).
Tweaks to set and staging aside, this is very much the show that I know and love. Gregg Barnes' exquisite costumes still dazzle, each one a hand made work of art in its own right. Bob Crowley's sets have been revised slightly for the touring stage and new projections have been added to some scenes to go along with Natasha Katz's lighting. The work of all three creatives still comes together beautifully to re-create the animated world on stage with all the brightness and colour you would imagine.
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| Gavin Adams as Aladdin in the UK Tour of Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer |
The seamlessness of the music and story in Aladdin will never cease being miraculous to me. That Chad Begulin was able to take the classic story and iconic songs from the animated original, re-integrate cut characters and songs from Howard Ashman's original vision, whilst adding new songs written for the stage production, and it still all feels right, will never be anything less than magical. With the unique blend of Howard Ashman, Alan Menken, Tim Rice, and Chad Begulin, the music in this show is simply joyous, from the opening 'Arabian Nights' and show stopping 'Friend Like Me' to new numbers like 'High Adventure', you will be dancing in your seat and the songs will be stuck in your head long after the cast have taken their well deserved bows.
Which brings me to the heart of the show - the cast. And I want to start with the ensemble as Aladdin is a show where it is truly the ensemble that makes it what it is. There are so many big production numbers and costume changes, they have to give everything they have to make the show work. And I'm delighted to say that they absolutely deliver. You can feel the energy and joy radiating off the stage as they dance through the marketplace and I couldn't ask for more than that.
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| The UK Tour ensemble of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Leading the cast is the fantastic trio of Gavin Adams as Aladdin, Desmonda Cathabel as Jasmine, and Yeukayi Ushe as Genie.
I still can't believe that this is Gavin's professional debut. He's a fantastic Aladdin, pouring his heart and soul into 'Proud of Your Boy' (my favourite Ashman/Menken ballad) and keeping the show emotionally grounded whilst also nailing the comic timing (and many, many dances) that the role requires. And Desmonda is an equally incredible Jasmine, giving a classic Disney princess a modern touch whilst still keeping her sense of wonder as she explores the market for the first time and goes flying on a magic carpet. The romance between the two is the heart of the show and they both deliver perfectly.
For the stage production Aladdin and Jasmine have, usually, been cast a little older than they were portrayed in the animated movie so, for me, this was my first time seeing a production where the characters were closer in age to their animated counterparts and I really enjoyed the different feel it brought to the show.
Gavin Adams and Desmonda Cathabel as Aladdin and Jasmine in the UK Tour of Aladdin, photos by Deen Van Meer
In the four times we've seen the UK tour, I've been fortunate enough to see both Yeukayi and Damien Winchester play Genie. Damien has also made the part his own with his larger than life portrayal of the character. The UK tour is lucky to have two incredible Genies, and I feel very fortunate to have seen both as both actors bring something unique to the character.
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| Yeukayi Ushe as Genie in the UK Tour of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Rounding out the heroes are Aladdin's three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. On the UK tour this hilarious trio are brought to life by Nelson Bettencourt, Adam Taylor, and Nay-Nay respectively and their high octane 'Babkak, Omar, Aladdin, Kassim' and 'High Adventure' are two of the highlights of the show.
Of course every group of heroes needs some bad guys, and Aladdin has them in Adam Strong's Jafar and Angelo Paragoso's Iago. The two pair together well to bring Agrabah's villainous duo to life, at once deliciously over the top but also careful not to steer into pantomime, with their plotting, scheming, and the occasional evil laughs delighting audiences. Completing the principal cast is Jo Servi's Sultan, who rules over this theatrical kingdom with a visible joy and sense of fun.
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| Adam Strong and Angelo Paragoso as Jafar and Iago in the UK Tour of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Bringing the whole show together is, of course, director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw. Flying carpets aside, the magic and spectacle on display in Aladdin is entirely human with Casey's direction and choreography at its heart. He knows when to go all out and when to let a character or lyric carry the scene. I'm paraphrasing what I said back in 2014 but the heart of the show has not changed so even 10 years later this remains true. But I also want to give a shout out to the UK team and everyone behind the scenes. Shows like these literally take a village and so many people work incredibly hard to make the magic happen.
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| Gavin Adams and Desmonda Cathabel as Aladdin and Jasmine in the UK Tour of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
It's hard to believe this show is 10 years old and that this tour is the 11th production of the show. Thirteen years ago, after the pilot production in Seattle, I thought the only way we might get the show in the UK would be with licensed regional/amateur productions. Now we've had a three year run in the West End and the first (but hopefully not last) UK tour is about to conclude after more than a year on the road. And, honestly, that gasp you get from the audience as the carpet flies still makes me smile after all these years.
As I noted at the start, the touring production has made some compromises with set and staging, but the heart of the show still sparkles as brightly as all the Swarovski crystals on Gregg Barnes' costumes. The music and choreography make you want to get up and dance in the aisles. And that infectious joy still radiates from the stage from an incredible cast giving it their all. I just wish we had more than one week left. See it while you can.
The UK and Ireland Tour of Disney's Aladdin is now in its final week at the Liverpool Empire. You can still get tickets for the final shows here.
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| Gavin Adams (Aladdin), Yeukayi Ushe (Genie) and the UK Tour ensemble of Aladdin, photo by Deen Van Meer |
Disney's Aladdin UK and Ireland Tour opened in Edinburgh at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 24th October 2023 and is currently playing in Liverpool at the Liverpool Empire until 5th January 2025.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements.
Starring Gavin Adams, Yeukayi Ushe, Desmonda Cathabel, Adam Strong, Angelo Paragoso, Jo Servi, Nay-Nay, Adam Taylor, and Nelson Bettencourt.
Standbys Damien Winchester and Juan Jackson.
The ensemble features Hannah Amin, Dammi Aregbeshola, Erin Gisele Chapman, Tau-En Chien, Zac Frieze, Georgia Gillam, Jared Irving, James Lim, Harriet Millier, Luchia Moss, Aaron Elijah Patel, Joseph Poulton, Chris Ribz, and Kerry Spark.
Swings Rico Baker, Daisy Barnett, Sarah Benbelaid, Oliver Scheers, Ricardo Spriggs, and Niko Wirachman.
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Book and Additional Lyrics by Chad Beguelin, Directed and Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, Scenic Design by Bob Crowley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, Sound Design by Ken Travis, Music Supervision, Incidental Music and Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kosarin, Orchestrations by Danny Troob, Hair Design by Josh Marquette, Makeup Design by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira, Illusion Design by Jim Steinmeyer, Dance Music Arrangements by Glen Kelly, Music Coordinator Howard Joines, Special Effects Design by Jeremy Chernick, Original Fight Direction by J. Allen Suddeth, Associate Director Ben Clare, Dance Supervisor Kyle Seeley, Associate Choreographer John Macinnis, Technical Supervision by Geoffrey Quart/Hudson Theatrical Associates, Senior Production Supervisor Clifford Schwartz, Production Supervisor Jason Trubitt, Casting by Jill Green CDG, UK Music Associate Daniel Whitby.
The premiere of Aladdin was produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA. David Armstrong, Executive Producer & Artistic Director; Bernadine C. Griffin, Managing Director; Bill Berry; Producing Director.
