New Forest Players 
Ballard School, New Milton 
Darren Funnell 
28 December 2024
Wow. Sometimes you know you have something, and you cannot wait to unleash it on a paying audience. Such it is with Aladdin, currently playing at Ballard School for the New Forest Players. It is a sublime, fun, professional Panto. The director, Sarah Haberfield, is enthused with the spirit of ‘Twixtmas’. The show is alive, bright, dazzling and has a few set pieces that it would be churlish to spoil. Honestly, if you are looking for a show to bring in the New Year – and this runs to 31 December – then stampede your family to go and see this one. Across sound, set, lighting and choreography it is a lift you didn’t know you needed. I had the best time. It really is that good.
Some actors are born to play Hamlet. Neil Phillips was born to play Wishee Washee. What a standout linking performance (splishy, sploshy?). The energy from Neil shone through, with on point asides, knowing looks and great physicality. Brilliant. He was one of a spoil of panto riches. Martin Cox (Window Twankey) ‘rings’ in a glorious dame. Just the right side of naughty. Speaking of rings, Tina Ward’s take of the ‘Spirit of the Rings’ channels Mo Harris in Eastenders as is fabulous for it. Victoria Sandford (Aladdin) has a wonderful presence and impressive vocals. This is just as well as there are numerous singing and dancing opportunities for the adult/junior chorus, who should be applauded for keeping the show bouncing along and are probably happy to have a ‘lad’ to lead the way.
I loved Claire Nicolson’s Empress. I cannot think of a way to do it better. The running gag of ‘Honey’ being a strong candidate for Sports Personality Of The Year lands well and Stephanie McMahon is redoubtable. Charlotte Debonnaire shows great talent in lifting the part of Princess Jasmine to new levels. Ian Prescott is superb as the stage left ‘nearly grown up’ villain of the piece, kicking off the proceedings with the requisite “Boo hiss” and cracking on from there. The two policemen (Belinda Neil and Debbie Jetten) humorously decorate the proceedings and get the most ‘groansome’ lines. And then we have the Genie (Martin Bloor). You have never had a friend like me. Ha! Wait until you see it!
If I have one criticism it is that the wordsearch in the Souvenir programme (lovely) is far too easy – even for a big kid. That’s it, really. I guess brevity is a sign of quality. I have nothing more to say but “Bravo”. Aladdin is everything you want it to be – and more. If you can get a ticket, then bash the door down as if it were a Boxing Day sale. You’ll unwrap a glorious parcel that raises the spirits. A fabulous cast backed up by exceptional direction and production. Trust me, the whole family will love this one. Did I say I had a good time? “Oh yes, you did.”
