Adelaide Youth Theatre. Arts Theatre. 28 Apr 2016
From its small beginnings, Adelaide Youth Theatre has grown into a ginormous enterprise. Not only is it turning on regular major productions but, in the case of Aladdin, it is doing it with two whole alternating casts of principals. In other words, it has an embarrassment of riches in the youth talent department.
Aladdin opens with a very pretty, misty stage jam-packed with exquisitely-costumed children of all ages straight away impressing with how very well-choreographed and rehearsed they all are. They also seem almost all to be very well radio miked and playing to a solid orchestral soundtrack. It is all very professional.
This production has been directed by Serena Martino-Williams and Leah Harford with Emily Glew assisted by Rory Adams as musical director and Charlotte Hill and Hannah Dandie as choreographers - these all being budding theatre workers and part of the whole Emma Riggs/Kerreane Sarti ethos of cultivating young talent in all aspects of the production process.
Everyone does everything very well.
From the smallest chorus member right through to the leads, ever member of the massive cast seems utterly committed to the show. They work like beavers. They look like an exotic mass of Middle Eastern glamour with the vivid harem-pants and bejewelled bellies. They sing in tune and, although some work in American accents and some don't, they work hard at characterisations.
In this performance of this production, the star performer is Joshua Spiniello as the Genie. He has born-to-perform presence and the stage lights up when he is upon it. Taylor Tran, who plays Princess Jasmine, is another young performer with immense promise, and also Eliza Oppedisano, who plays the parrot, Iago. Notable is Liam Tomlin as the Sultan while Jack Raftopoulos as Aladdin has a lovely singing voice but seems to be constantly uncomfortable in his costumes. Other good performances come from Alyssa Tacono, Kristian Latella, Miley Vincent and the terrific pack of narrating girls.
The show is a junior version of the big musical without too many long scenes or songs. There is lots of song and dance, goodies and baddies are clearly defined, the plot is clear and the magic carpet scene is very vivid and touching. The whole thing runs for one nice, tight hour, leaving young audience members still fresh and interested.
Pity it is such a short season.
Samela Harris
When: 28 to 30 Apr
Where: Arts Theatre
Bookings: bass.net.au
