Audience get panto magic
Youngsters and adults alike flocked to Shrewsbury's Music Hall to see a festive pantomime performance of Aladdin.Youngsters and adults alike flocked to Shrewsbury's Music Hall to see a festive pantomime performance of Aladdin. Cries of "Oh no you didn't" and "It's behind you" rang out as a packed crowd roared with laughter at the antics of this year's pantomime cast. Former EastEnders star Carly Hillman sparkled as Emperor's daughter Princess Jasmine, who falls for the hero, a charming Mike Carnell. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
Cries of "Oh no you didn't" and "It's behind you" rang out as a packed crowd roared with laughter at the antics of this year's pantomime cast.
Former EastEnders star Carly Hillman sparkled as Emperor's daughter Princess Jasmine, who falls for the hero, a charming Mike Carnell.But the show was stolen by the antics of sidekick Wishee Washee and the exuberant panto dame Widow Twankey.
Ben Nickless, as Wishee Washee, won the hearts of the audience and had them in stitches with his energetic humour, while Phil Haze as the dame would have impressed with his range of outfits alone.
And BBC Radio Shropshire's Eric Smith was a revelation, momentarily dropping the trappings of Emperor to appear clad only in a towel.
Double act Sergeant Ping and Constable Pong kept youngsters laughing, with an endless round of slapstick squeaks and squeezes that culminated in a thorough soaking in foam by the widow and Wishee Washee.
They were not the only ones to get soaked as the water pistols were turned on the audience - with a special soaking for Shrewsbury mayor Councillor Roger Evans and his wife, Gaynor.
The crowd raised the roof as they booed evil villain Abanazar, and sang and clapped along to everything from Mambo Number Five to a Whole New World.
Theatre manager Lezley Picton said Aladdin looked like the most popular pantomime yet, with a record number praising the production.
And with 62 performances in total, there is still time to book tickets.
By Alys Cummings
