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A panto let down by inconsistent writing and direction
[Tristram Kenton]
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Aladdin
Lyric Hammersmith, London
LIKE the proverbial football match of two halves, this patchy panto takes on highly different aspects before and after the interval.
In the section up to the break there’s barely a memorable moment. The custard pie slapstick is limp, the music is uninspiring and the jokes are weak, with some strangely out of date “current affairs” cracks for the adults.
In general there’s little for young or old to get stuck into, especially as it takes far too long to reach the animating point where Aladdin finally goes into the cave to search for his magic lamp. Mulled wine at half-time was a blessed relief.
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