Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until 3rd January 2026
Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert
5*****
A magical performance full of laughter and cheers!
This year’s audiences are being treated to a Cornwall Playhouse production, in association with Falmouth University of Aladdin which is running at the Hall for Cornwall until the 3rd Jan 26. It’s great to see such a fabulous pantomime in Cornwall, full of Cornish charm and showcasing a huge amount of homegrown talent. It is a magical performance, full of laughter and cheers telling this classic story.
It is co-written by the show’s star Edward Rowe (Kernow King) and musical director Richard Healey and they have really produced a show that has done Cornwall proud! There’s giant tap dancing pasties, flags of St.Piran, a song made up of Cornish place names and the chorus of Trelawney all thrown in.
Following several standout performances as the dame, the Kernow King is back, this time as Widow Twerkey, He’s as fabulous as ever, and his portrayal of Aladdin’s mum who has lost her twerk since becoming a widow is top notch. He does naughty innuendo to perfection. The manic version of the Twelve Days of Christmas sees the return of the supersoakers to the delight of the children, together with saffron buns and silver surfboards and sweets thrown into the audience.
Alexander Jude as Aladdin and Jasmine Cole as Princess Jasmine perform well together and share many duets. Alexander has a standout moment on the magic carpet ride, which is both jaw dropping and phenomenal. Dawn French is the voice of the Genie, which was a wonderful surprise and Mali Wen Davies brings sass as the Spirit of the Ring, she certainly has a powerful voice.
There are huge sets and glitzy costumes to wow you. There are high energy dance routines, from the opening track staring Jasmine and her Mum, the evil Aberzennor (Sara Markland) singing Jesse J’s song Domino, you know you’re in for a treat of a show. Also, other music numbers such as Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra are all well performed with energy, alongside the ensemble which are fantastic and includes member of the Hall for Cornwall’s Youth Theatre.
Willie Washaway (Gareth Cooper) who is Dame Twerkey’s silly son introduced himself to the audience. He is a success and fun for the younger spectators and often willing the audience to interact when he shouts Willie, Willie, Willie and the audience would react by shouting Oi, Oi, Oi in return.
It has plenty of Cornish charm, set in Kernow Town and many Cornish references with pyrotechnics, bubbles and streamers from the ceiling. A not to be missed Panto, which will keep you all amused, a perfect family day out which doesn’t disappoint.