The children of St Ronan’s Primary School brought the Arabian Nights tale of Aladdin to life on stage last week. This panto-style version of Aladdin contained all the traditional elements and characters, alongside a whole host of less conventional ones!

To give the show a seasonal flavour, the children of Primaries 1, 2 and 3 performed a variety of Christmas songs in the prologue, setting a very high standard of performance. Aged between four and seven years old, some of the youngest members of the school community showed that they had bags of confidence and talent.

In the bustling, spice-fragranced marketplace we meet our hero, Aladdin, played by Ally Norman. Ally portrayed the lovable rogue to perfection and sang extremely well throughout.

Princess Jasmine was played by Alana Smith whose clear, lyrical voice was a joy to listen to. The air’s duet, “I Still Believe,” was a real highlight of the show. Alice Harrison played the part of the grand Wizier, Abanazar (Boo! Hiss!). Alice remained in character throughout and relished her role. Alice’s unfortunate side-kick was played by Alastair McNeill who spoke only in rhyme (he tried not to but it happened every time!) The part of the Genie was taken by Ben Roper, who made the role his own and was ably assisted by his “Three Wishes” (Isla Cross, Kaitlen Glass, Liana Matika).

Another of the Genie’s side-kicks was Tom-Tom (the only flying carpet with mat-nav!) expertly played by Kirsty Sked. Jasmine’s father, the King, was played by Robbie Norman, unrecognisable in a grey wig while the whole story was told in crystal-clear verse by Eva Gibson as Sheherazade, the Sultan’s new bride.

In the Wishy, Washly Laundry we met Aladdin’s mum, Widow Twankey (Carlo Kolodziej) and the hapless twins Wishy (Robbie Conkie) and Washy (Mark MacKay). Carlo was fantastic as Widow Twankey and his number, “Wishy Wash Laundry” was a real showstopper!

The beauty of this production was that it gave lots and lots of the children a chance to have a part and we make mention of them here: Ethan Huxley (Sultan), Elle Graham, Eleanor Smith, Liana Matika (Market Traders), Alexander Blake, Calum King, Olivia Easton, Connor Tolmie, Caitlin Higgins (Village Characters), Ben Rorison, Evie Clancey, Erin Wilson, Anna Tweedie (Servants), Scarlett Fairbairn, Louise Turnbull (Washing Line), Robin Stewart, Joe Sharratt and Akula Phillips (Suitors), Bronwyn Poon-Crowther, Ruby Finn, Ellie Leckie, Ellie Stewart (Maids), Anya Wilson, Reegan Lambert (Oracle), Ellie Martin (Matt Paint & Wal Paper), Eleanor Smith, Katie Clark (PC Bright & PC Crook, Lauren Nightingale, Keeley Rippin (Rats) and Sophie Cameron (Salesman). Each one of them combined to make this a show to remember.

The pupils in primaries six and seven appeared in the big musical numbers and showed that they could sing, dance and act extremely well. Primary 4 featured as the fantastic Aladdin Choir, lending musical support throughout. A pprentices in the Wishy Washy Laundry were the children of Primary 5 who assisted Widow Twankey, not only with the laundry, but in the singing department as well!

With no less than 11 catchy songs, a hilarious script and a cast of 275, the capacity audiences who came along to the three shows were expected to boo, hiss, laugh and cheer, but needed little encouragement and this latest St Ronan’s production was voted another great success.