pantomime noun a theatrical entertainment involving music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy, usually produced around Christmas.

   
23 February 2012
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2007 : Ali Baba & The 40 Thieves

The Story

Ali Baba lives in Baghdad with his son Rhum. His brother Kazim, disguised as the Cobra, steals from the citizens with the help of his select band of thieves. Kazim is the wicked Sultan of Baghdad - and what he doesn't steal in his disguise, he takes from the townsfolk by way of extortionate rents and taxes.

 

Amber, the spirit of the cave (where the Cobra hides his stolen goods) tells Ali where to find the cave. Ali, Rhum and Fatima set out in search of the cave, secretly followed by Zafira.

 

Meanwhile, two of the thieves, Bubble and Squeak, who are unaware that Kazim is the Cobra, kidnap his wife Olive for him to hold to ransom.

 

With the help of the information they have been given by Amber, Ali and his friends quickly find the cave, but once inside, the door closes behind them and they are trapped. Zafira then helps them to escape with the treasure. Olive is delivered to the Cobra and taken to the dungeons. Soon, the Cobra discovers that the treasure is missing. After Olive is returned to the palace, Ali is forewarned of a plan by the Cobra to kill all the guests at the Sultan's party, and the plot is foiled.

  

The Programme
Ali Baba & the 40 Thieves Programme
  

The Cast

Principals

Ali Baba Graham Lees
Stage Manager
Roy Hayes
Cobra/Kazim Baba
Tim McEvoy
Fatima
Simon Crooks
Zafira
Laura Pattinson
Bubble
Carol Crooks
Squeak
Carla Garbutt
Olive Baba
Rosemary Merry
Mira Grace Rimmer
Rhum Baba Ian Lawless

 

Junior Chorus

Martha Cottrell Nick Devereux
Tiffany Fox Laura-Jane Garvie
Sophie Jackson George Lees
Rhiannon Lees Lewis Rimmer
Zara Tattersall Medina Yassin

 

Senior Chorus

Alex Burgess Lucy De Blasio
Rachel Dolan Caroline Dunsheath
Grace Rimmer Kate Wurcbacher

 

Junior Dancers

Hayley Blamphin Jessica Blamphin
Charlotte Cherry Jodie Cooper
Georgia Merry Amy Stockdale

 

Senior Dancers

Bethan George Stacey Hancock
Amie Kilkenny Emma Parker
Alison Self Sophie Walters
  

The Production Team

Production

Writer and Director
Roy Hayes
Choreographer Debbie Sutton
Musical Director Andrew Lawless
Stage Manager Dave Mullin
Lighting Director Phil Redman
Sound Rob Williams

 

Musicians

Piano & Keyboard Andrew Lawless
Drums Ian Robinson
  

Ali Baba Gallery
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NODA Critique

This was a refreshingly new version of Ali Baba written by director Roy Hayes, who also wrote into the script a role for himself as the Stage Manager, called on to appear as the replacement for the absent Good Fairy.

 

Tim McEvoy was a laid back Kazim Baba, doubling as the thieving Cobra, encouraged by his spoilt wife, Olive, played by Rosemary Merry. Comedy was provided by Simon Crooks as Dame Fatima, Carol Crooks as Bubble and Carla Garbutt as Squeak.

 

The romantic aspect came from Laura Pattinson as Zafira and Ian Lawless as Rhum Baba, son of the eponymous Ali Baba, and was well played by Graham Lees.

 

The musical numbers moved at a lively tempo with vigorous dance routines, and the costumes were to the usual high standard.

 

This was an enjoyable evening's entertainment.

 

NODA - National Operatic and Dramatic Association

  

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