Panto review: Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves @ Town Hall, Bentham (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Panto review: Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves @ Town Hall, Bentham

4:26pm Monday 8th March 2010 in

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THE best show yet was the verdict on Bentham Theatre Group’s production of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, a professional and extremely enjoyable show.

The cast of this production was well rehearsed and made the panto flow throughout.

Ali Baba was well played by Adam Hughes, his girlfriend Morgiana was delightfully played by Izzi Wilkinson and his mother by Marie Rayner.

I loved the reference to Abba throughout her dialogue.

Cassim, Ali’s brother (Mar-garet Cowling) and Shishky, Baba (Laura Christman) were in character.

Richard Wallace took a good part as Sheik Yerbooty.

The part of Wassim Notme was excellently played by John Neal, a strong experienced actor who the kept the pace going.

Two less experienced players Asif Iwould and Asif Iwouldn’t (played by Gemma Wright and Stephie Park) were first class. Both girls were funny and enjoyed their roles.

Ali’s camel Jordan was wonderfully played by Grey Wilkinson.

He had the audience loving him from the start – a star of the show. Credit must go to Tracy Midgley and Chrissie Renshaw who made the magnificent camel outfit.

Children taking part were Kayleigh Atkinson, Lauren Atkinson, Jasmine Brennan, Xavier Brennan, India Brennan, Alex Burton, Kate Burton, Taylor Chapman, Hermione Briscoll, Jess Duckworth, Louis Henshaw, Evie Henshaw, Lottie Morton, Tilly Ogden, Jasmine Smith, Caoife Turner, Ted Turner, Harry Wilkinsons and Natalie Wilkinson.

The list of credits is too long to mention everyone but the group does a magnificent job.

Director Iain Henshaw is to be congratulated on a professional panto well done.