Aladdin, the Pantomime:"all about having fun and being silly whether you’re on stage or in the audience"

Aladdin, the Pantomime is back in Circa One for its short, post-Christmas season and actor Jessica Robinson takes time from getting back into the swing of things to tell drama on the waterfront all about Princess Jasmine and the pantomime experience.

Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (L) and Jessica Robinson (R) in Aladdin. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: You play the Princess Jasmine in Aladdin; what can you tell us about her?

JR: Princess Jasmine is a bit of a rebel. Her father, the Sultan, has high expectations of the wealth she could make him by choosing the right kind of husband but she just wants the freedom to make her own choices.

DOTW: What has been the highlight moment for you during Aladdin?

JR: From a performer’s perspective, the audience participation is the highlight of the show. My favourite moment so far was when a little boy in the audience decided to throw his shoes on stage right in the middle of a “high tension” moment. The look on all of our faces must have been priceless as we all tried to figure out how to deal with it. The little boy also got the biggest round of applause that night.

DOTW: Have you been in any of the Circa pantomimes before? What can you tell us about the pantomime experience?

JR: I played Alice in Dick Whittington and His Cat two years ago and the main thing I learned was never to take myself too seriously. Pantomime is all about having fun and being silly whether you’re on stage or in the audience.

Jessica Robinson (centre) in Dick Whittington and His Cat, Circa , 2009/2010. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

DOTW: What can you tell us about the rest of the cast and crew?

JR: It’s a great team. We all get on really well and in fact the hardest thing about doing this production is not falling into hysterical laughter on stage.  

DOTW: Is there a marked difference between performing in the pantomime before Christmas and after? Does the audience reaction differ at all?

JR: The audience is usually a bit more sober after Christmas, and like us, probably a little rounder.

Jessica Robinson and Richard Chapman in Aladdin. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Aladdin is back on in Circa One until 14 January. To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.

Aladdin, the Pantomime: Don't miss it!

Actor Nick Dunbar takes time from Aladdin to tell drama on the waterfront all about playing an evil villain and a polygamist Sultan.

"I play two characters in Aladdin: Abanazar, the villain of the piece, who has the hots for the beautiful Princess Jasmine (I mean, who wouldn't?), daughter of the Sultan. He is also bent on eventually ruling the country and also of course becoming rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrich! It's all easily done, as long as he gets that magic lamp back. His friend and companion Kebab, played by himself, is a demon, literally. They're pretty close and are experts in magic (real) tricks. Abanazar and Kebab could tell you how the magic tricks are done, but they would have to kill you afterwards, and that's just one example of how evil they are.

Nick Dunbar as the evil villain Abanazar. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

I also play the Sultan, the supreme ruler of the land, Old Arabee. He's Princess Jasmine's dad, and would like to see her married off to someone with lots of cash, squillions in fact. The laws of old Arabee decree that unless a woman is betrothed by the time she is 20, she is doomed to live the rest of her days single. He spends most of his time partying at the palace with his seven wives and chopping peoples heads off with his Big Chop machine. It's lots of fun. He has a wide screen tv in every room at the palace, even in the toilet, and owns 143 luxury cars, none of which has been driven.

 It's been a blast working and playing with everyone involved in Aladdin, and if the audience's response in the first week is anything to go by, it's going to be a great season ... Don't miss it!"

Aladdin runs until 23 December and then comes back in the New Year for a two week season 3-14 January. Pre-Christmas performances are filling up fast, so get your tickets quick! To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz. 

Aladdin, the Pantomime: It should be a Les Mills class!

Actor Gavin Rutherford talks about taking on the role of the most famous pantomime dame of all, the Widow Twankey, in Roger Hall's adaptation of Aladdin, the Pantomime.

“The big one. When it comes to pantomime dames there is no more famous character than Widow Twankey and it is my privilege to be playing her this year. Roger Hall places us firmly in old Arabee (which is closer to Wellington than one might think) and lets us into the weird world of Twankey's laundry full of 'the noble classes’ dainties and the neighbours' old grundies.'

As anyone who knows me will attest, these are grounds on which I thrive. Having played Mother Hood last year, the challenge comes from making Widow Twankey a different person while still retaining the fuller figure elements that made Trelise Hood so appealing. Widow Twankey is a bit more worldly-wise in her machinations as she struggles to attain the upper middle class status she so richly deserves - and, of course, in her pursuit of a man!

This year's panto is packed full of Wellington's best (and some might say) biggest performers so the energy in the rehearsal room is frantic and hilarious. Audiences will get on a fast-paced carpet ride of song, dance and silliness filled with romance, magic and 'blimmen good-night-outness!'

The magic and characters are a huge hit with the kids and some of the best experiences we have during a panto are when the children are allowed to come up onstage. The shrieking adult laughter at the usual naughty jokes and subversive satire and the joy of the kids makes our large amount of sweat and energy more than worthwhile.

It's a great work out for us on the way to the summer months. It should be a Les Mills class!”

Roger Hall's Aladdin, the Pantomime

Aladdin, the Pantomime opens on 19 November and runs until 23 December, returning after Christmas for a short run in the New Year: 3-14 January. There will be a $25 Preview performance on Friday, 18 November and a $25 Special Matinee on Sunday, 20 November. To book, please call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.