Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre review ★★★★★

This mega-watt, big-budget musical theatre version of Disney’s Aladdin is pure wish fulfillment.

Especially if your three wishes were: spectacle, sparky comedy and rock-hard abs.

Arriving from Broadway with five Tony nominations and bursting with the best musical theatre talent money can buy, it’s an inevitable blockbuster.

The spirited story of the nineties cartoon and hit songs including ‘Arabian Nights’, ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘Prince Ali’ translate neatly to the stage.

The production is pure sumptuous spectacle, with a surfeit of sparkle, unfeasibly fit backing dancers, live fireworks and a flying carpet. Our little reviewer was agog: ‘I think it must actually have magic,’ she whispered as the lovers glided through the air.

Street Rat Aladdin, played with charm and chiseled pecs by Dean John-Wilson, (Here Lies Love, National Theatre 2014) is a lovable rogue, getting into scraps and secretly longing to make his dead mother proud.

Meanwhile, locked up within the palace walls, smart, sassy and stubborn Princess Jasmine is reminding us why she’s our favourite Disney princess. Former Sugerbabe Jade Ewen has all the little girls in the theatre misty-eyed with hero worship, and is vocally very impressive.

But without a doubt it’s the mighty talent of Trevor Dion Nicholas as a rambunctious Geni who elevates this from a cheesy kids’ show to an exhilarating and utterly entertaining experience for audiences of all ages.

Much like in the cartoon, where Robin Williams amped up the comedy, this Geni is a true showman. And his big number ‘Friend Like Me’ is a showstopper.

Aladdin Prince Edward Theatre Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie) Photographer Deen van Meer © Disney

Mostly, the comedy is panto-style punning and there’s not scrap of subtlety in the show. The Arabic origins are limited to the odd turban and the inhabitants of Agrabah speak with an American accent (despite a predominantly British cast). Substantial drama this is not, but it sure is entertaining.

As Aladdin, continues on Broadway and opens in Tokyo, Hamburg and Sydney, it's fairly inevitable that this new Disney musical will become a permanent fixture in London Theatreland. Watch out Lion King… there’s a new hit in town.

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