The Grand Theatre pantomime attracts thousands of families to Wolverhampton each year. This year`s production of Aladdin, in association with Evolution Productions, is a triumph. It runs from Saturday 3rd December 2022 - Saturday 7th January 2023 and when this reviewer went to see a 2.30pm production on Tuesday 20th December it was a sold out show.
The noise from the audience participation, laughter and singing filled the theatre in a very good way. There were smiles everywhere, along with children in fancy dress. The dialogue was rooted in place names and references to Wolverhampton. Children and adults loved it. The spectacle of an actual flying carpet over the stage nailed this production, written and directed by Will Brenton (a multi-award winning creator, director and producer of television and theatre) with 5 Gold Stars.
"The Grand Theatre has a rich history of producing pantomime" said Adrian Jackson, CEO and Artistic Director. "From the opening season 128 years ago, panto was placed firmly at the theatre`s heart with a production of Sinbad the Sailor which opened on Christmas Eve just 2 weeks after the theatre`s grand opening night on 10th December 1894".
Evolution Productions have built a reputation for superior bespoke pantomimes since they were established in 2005. They have a emphasis on high quality production values, strong casting and genuinely funny scripts. In a recent Daily Mail report on the "Top ten Pantomimes in the Country" 3 of the shows were produced by Evolution. They won Pantomime of the Year in 2016/17, 2017/18, 2019/20 and 2021/22. After 18 years and over 100 productions their hall mark is of producing some of the biggest and best pantomimes in the country.
The production quality shows in Aladdin at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. The cast includes Zoe Birkett (a winner of Pop Idol and over the last 11 years a West End leading lady in musicals), Michael Greco (Netflix actor with Kevin Costner, Will Smith and Tom Berenger), Ben Cajee (BBC Radio Stoke), Tam Ryan (resident comedian at Manchester Opera House), Ian Adams (veteran of pantomime at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) and Sofie Anne (We Will Rock You, Grease and The Royal Variety Show).
"Creating this production of Aladdin for the people of Wolverhampton and beyond has once again highlighted the talents we boast within our team" explained Adrian Jackson "many of whom are local to the area. Christmas is a very special time of year and pantomime is regarded by so many as the most traditional and magical entertainment which families can all enjoy together. On behalf of everyone at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre I would like to thank you for your support throughout this year and for joining us this Christmas for our magical journey of Aladdin".
