Pantomime 2011 - Aladdin

Down the street of a thousand chopsticks, past the sign of the Flied Lice Inn, there lived a Chinese maiden by the name of Say Wen.  No we were not going on a tour of ancient China with Page & Moy, rather we were about to see the sights of Pekin!! and a trip to a cave in the mountains, then off to the Great Pyramid in Egypt before returning to Pekin, and all without leaving Christ the Servant.

We were of course at the Aladdin pantomime so well presented by a huge cast of thirty five made up of church folk from Christ the Servant and St Thomas the Martyr, Bishop Martin School and the wider community.

It was an evening of fun and corny jokes enjoyed as much by the audience as by the cast themselves.  Some younger members of the audience excitedly joined in the usual responses (Oh yes it is  -  Oh no it isn’t) whilst the smiles on the faces of members of the cast showed how much they enjoyed it too.

The beautiful costumes, the scenery (all hand painted), special effects department who created the Great Pyramid in an instant, a giant washing machine and clothes mangle together with expertly handled back drop scenery(we even caught a glimpse of Mrs Archdeacon’s bloomers , but no more), stage lighting and sound effects, well, that’s Show Business.

All ended happily with the help of Aladdin’s lamp and we must congratulate Police Sergeant Heighton for her enthusiasm and encouragement not only to the cast but to the forty eight back stage staff, and must put a date in our diaries NOW for February half term in the Year of the Olympics. I wonder what the next one will be, Sinbad?, Goldilocks?, Mother Goose?, I can’t wait.............