***** (5 stars)
“A Joyous Anniversary Spectacular!”
Twenty years ago, in 2005 now critically acclaimed and award-winning pantomime producer Michael Harrison was handed the reigns of Newcastle’s and the North’s biggest pantomime at the beloved Theatre Royal. Harrison a local lad took a chance on bringing in a then unknown father and son circus comedy duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams and their unique brand of mayhem to join top of the bill star Jill Halfpenny in a production of that years Cinderella. They went to the ball and dreams came true as Newcastle audiences took Danny and Clive to their hearts. They returned the following year for Jack and The Beanstalk. Then in 2007 the duo was so popular they topped the bill themselves and were joined by the modern-day Danny La Rue of Dames, the simply incredible Chis Hayward and the magical trio were complete! Pop sensation Joe McElderry joined them in 2021 to make Newcastle a 4 top of the bill iconic show.
2025 sees Danny and Clive celebrate their 20th season at the Theatre Royal in a brand-new production of “Aladdin” which proves to be a five-star joyous anniversary spectacular. Aladdin as a title has lost favor amongst panto producers due to the difficulties it faces with racial and cultural misappropriation. Director and co-writer Michael Harrison with co-writer Ed Curtis have done what panto is born to do! They have reinvented the story by moving the show away from peeking to magical land of pantomania and made a gorgeous celebration of both panto and Danny and Clive’s twenty years at the helm and its all the better for it. Spoiler alert! This is Aladdin as you have never seen it and you’re going to love it.!
Danny Adams in the performance of his life, leads the show as “Aladdin” in his quest for true love of Princess Jemima, the gorgeous Billie-Kay. His mum Mother Goose, played to perfection by the glamourous Chris Hayward (yes, no widow Twankey in pantomania!) and her husband Mr Goose, Clive Webb face their own challenges with priscilla the golden goose (acclaimed skin performer Olivier Moriarty) helping them to keep theatre royal in pantomania open and the pennies coming in. They are helped by the spirit of the ring, the wonderfully camp and the silky-smooth vocals of Joe McElderry alongside the Genie of the Lamp, Mick Potts who takes his idiot character to a whole new level. Together the seek to win over Old King Cole, Wayne Smith, to let Aladdin win his heart’s desire and the gang also must banish evil in the form of the Wicked Witch of Wallsend played with joyful villainy by Rachel Stanley.
While the story is unconventional it works beautifully! And there is just enough story to wrap round what is essentially a greatest hits of panto sketches from the last twenty years. Performances are sublime and faultless across the board. Danny Webb works out of his skin, and it shows and he and Joe McElderry have developed a wonderful on stage partnership with Joe giving as good as he gets with some tasty one liners and double entendre’s while Adams brings the comedy McElderry brings the vocals and it’s a match made in heaven. Clive Webb also delivers wonderfully well especially a fantastic “haunted house” sketch, and the team shine in what must be the countries best “If I were not in pantomime” sketch. The finest glamorous dame of them all Chris Hayward shines especially bright this year in a non-ending plethora of stunning frocks, a hilarious strip routine and some wonderful musical numbers that glue the show together. Mick Potts lifts his idiot character to new heights thanks to his mastery of physical comedy and it’s a joy as the Genie of the ring, Wayne Smith, Rachel Stanley and Billie-Kay are slightly underused but do shine during there moments they do get on stage and Smith has an unforgettable tache! That has the audience in hysterics.
The principal cast are joined by a stellar eight strong ensemble cast who shine especially when delivering Ashley Nottingham’s exquisite choreography that adds the cherry to this pure panto perfection of pantomime cake.
Production wise this is simply a west end production with Andrew Exeter delivering a brand-new set design that takes the show over the rainbow thanks to the set’s beauty and the beguiling lighting design from Ben Cracknell. Cracknell’s lighting design also brings out the very best of Teresa Nalton’s costume design! (with additional costume design by James Macier & Chris Hayward and additional specialty design and construction by Mike Coltman) trust us every single panto character features somewhere among the adventures of Aladdin in pantomania. Matt Peploe’s sound designed is flawless and the balance between performers and musical director Andrew Hilton and his six strong stonking pit orchestra is pitch perfect. It well seeing this is an anniversary spectacular with no less that three gigantic effects being used from those clever boys at Twins effects! Mythical creatures a plenty, Firey scares and yes, a carpet that flies! Simply incredible!
Michael Harrison has produced a panto which embraces twenty years of rich history but also retools it for the future ahead! It’s clear how much the Theatre Royal means to both him, Danny and Clive and the most emotionally moving scene in panto “the panto hall of fame” says it all! and must be the jewel in this year’s show. While Harrison also now directs and produces the London Palladium its clear there are many adventures ahead for him, Danny, Clive and the entire team at the Theatre Royal as they prove this brand-new Aladdin really is a Panto that’s is absolutely Genie-us!
Aladdin, Theatre Royal, Newcastle runs until Sunday 18th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Aladdin | Newcastle Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal Newcastle and Crossroads Pantomimes have confirmed the 2026/27 pantomime will be a spectacular new production of “Jack and The Beanstalk!”.
ScotsGay Arts 