Theatre
Five things in Disney’s Aladdin that have to be seen to be believed
To celebrate our exclusive booking period for Disney’s Aladdin (now open!), we’ve rounded up five things that you just have to see with your own eyes if they’re to be believed.
Disney’s Aladdin opened in the West End to great acclaim earlier this year, and we’re celebrating the show in all its resplendent glory with priority access to tickets for next spring – which is now available exclusively until next Monday (26 September).
Here we offer you five reasons to get tickets and experience the magic of Disney’s Aladdin with your own eyes.
The Genie
Trevor Dion Nicholas is the quintessential Genie in Aladdin. From the moment he appears on stage to the final number of the show, he is captivating. Everything about this interpretation of the Genie works – despite Robin Williams’ original version from the classic movie being so iconic. He’s bright, breezy, literally sparkling, and utterly hilarious. The live theatrical rendition of Friend Like Me, in particular, is like nothing else we’ve seen in the West End in ages.
The magic carpet ride
Even now we’re still scratching our heads over just how they made that magic carpet fly. Remember the first time you saw Wicked and the moment Elphaba flew at the end of act one? Aladdin and Princess Jasmine taking off into the night sky offers a similar emotion: it’s utterly awe-inspiring. We defy you (geddit?) to explain just how the magic works.
The Cave of Wonders
The scene where Aladdin enters into the Cave of Wonders is incredible for all sorts of reasons – not least because it also includes aforementioned Friend Like Me, a real high-point for the show, and is when our hero finally meets the Genie. But more than that, the set is just astoundingly beautiful. The Prince Edward Theatre simply lights up like never before, as the whole stage is bathed in gorgeously sunny golden light, chandeliers drip gold and towers of jewels sparkle.
The (extra) songs
Technically these have to be heard not seen, but what can you do? The beauty of seeing Aladdin on stage is that Alan Menkin, Tim Rice and Howard Ashman’s songs and sumptuous lyrics get to be heard in full. Many of the “additional” songs in this production weren’t specifically written for the stage show but instead have existed as long as the original film, having been cut from that during the editing process. It’s great to be able to hear them in full at last, especially Proud of Your Boy, an unusually quiet moment in such an otherwise exuberant show, which sparkles as a real touchstone of the story at Aladdin’s core.
The costumes
The costume department at Disney’s Aladdin are a busy bunch. There are 337 costumes in the show, worn by the 34 cast members throughout a single performance. In one scene, which lasts for just three-and-a-half minutes, the audience sees 71 different outfits modelled by 24 different actors; there are 47 quick changes. And one pair of trousers worn by a chorus member in the finale is embellished with 1,428 Swarovski crystals. Simply put, they shine, they shimmer, they spellbind.
Tickets for Disney’s Aladdin are available now. Access to our exclusive presale for new February – April 2017 dates is open now.
