MORE sparkle than Strictly, more colours than Joseph's technicoloured dreamcoat — Disney's Aladdin is like watching a musical in HD.
Everything seems bigger, brighter and bolder than anything I've seen on the stage.
From beginning to end, this family-friendly show, being staged at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre until September 29, is a fabulous feast for the eyes. Throughout the course of the fast-paced, jam-packed two-and-a-half hours, we're treated to an array of costumes and sets in the most sumptuous shades of colour, many moments of magic and some dazzling dance routines.
The show is the latest Disney classic to be staged by the producers of hit West End shows including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen, and has already been seen by more than 14 million people worldwide.
Based on the 1992 animated film, the stage production features a host of new musical numbers, as well as all the best-loved songs from the original movie, including Arabian Nights, One Jump Ahead, Prince Ali, A Whole New World, and - of course - Friend Like Me.
The latter is almost like a show in itself, with numerous dance sections in a range of different styles, magic tricks and special effects, with even some streamers thrown in for good measure.
With so many musicals competing for attention it's no longer enough to have a nice story, and some good song and dance — audiences need to be wowed by a performance, and Aladdin does exactly that.
This is Disney so, of course, everything is pretty much perfectly presented, with a super talented, energetic cast. But the stand out star is, without a doubt the utterly fabulous Yeukayi Ushe as the effervescent Genie. Larger than life, he brings everything to the role, leaving me feeing exhausted just watching him.
Full of comedy moments, baddies to boo, and an age-old love story, it's the perfect show for all ages to enjoy.
Utterly enchanting.
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