The Theatre – Lighthouse, Poole
Tuesday 6 December – Saturday 7 January
Tickets: Preview £16.50, Off Peak £19.50, Peak £21
Discounts: U16, Seniors, Schools, Groups, Families, Early Bird
Tickets & information 01202 280000
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Booking Fees: Prices quoted are for tickets booked in person at the Ticket Office. Tickets booked by telephone or online are subject to a booking fee of up to £1.75 per ticket
Aladdin flies into Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts this Christmas in a fun-filled and festive family pantomime between 6 December 2016 and 7 January 2017.
A story of adventure and love where our time travelling hero and his wicked Uncle Abanazar battle in pursuit of a lamp of extraordinary powers, Aladdin features the circus of modern day China and a magic carpet ride across the ancient earth. The many characters include an exotic rock god Genie, knockabout comedy Policemen, a beautiful Princess and a Dame Widow Twankey of enormous proportions. With lively music, great dancing, wonderful set pieces and audience interaction for all ages, Aladdin is set to make wishes come true this Christmas.
Co-produced by Lighthouse and Duncan Reeves Productions, led by actor and eighties Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan and musical director Darren Reeves, Aladdin will feature a star-studded cast, which is yet to be announced.
Peter Duncan was last seen at Lighthouse in 2015, playing the role of Jack Firebrace in Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong and is currently on the UK tour of the hit musical Hairspray,playing the role of Wilbur Turnblad.Despite being best known as a television and stage actor, Peter’s background is firmly rooted in the traditions of pantomime. His parents, comedian Alan Gale and soprano Patricia Kaye were producers of pantomimes and his childhood was spent surrounded by the paraphernalia of Panto-land, always mending props, sewing costumes and rolling out rat-bitten backcloths on the back lawn.
Peter himself has produced many shows previously and was instrumental in bringing pantomime back to The Hackney Empire after a gap of thirty years. It was after working with Darren Reeves on pantomimes at the Oxford Playhouse for the last ten years, where Peter both wrote and directed the shows that the pair decided it was time to produce together.
Peter is no stranger to the Poole area – he was the UK’s Chief Scout from 2004 to 2009, during the time when scouts in over two hundred countries celebrated their centenary in a live broadcast from Brownsea Island. As well as appearing at Lighthouse in Birdsong last year, he spent the 2006 Christmas season here playing the role of Buttons in Cinderella.
“I’m pleased to be back at Lighthouse again and in particular to be co-producing pantomime, my favourite kind of theatre!” reveals Peter. “I hope it will be very special – full of spectacle, laughter and an Aladdin people will never forget.”
Peter’s producing partner Darren Reeves is a Musical Director and West End performer. As well as playing Benny in Björn Again the lead role of Pianoman in Billy Joel’s hit musical Movin’ Out, he is now a member of Roger Taylor’s Queen Extravaganza, recently touring the UK and Australia.
Says Darren: “Having grown up on the south coast near Portsmouth, I am really looking forward to working this season near my family and friends. Pantomime is all about family, magic, music and laughter and I look forward to bringing a smile to everyone’s face. Having now worked on pantomime with Peter Duncan for the past ten years I realise that what Peter doesn’t know about family entertainment isn’t worth knowing.”
“Lighthouse is thrilled to be co-producing Aladdin with Duncan Reeves Productions,” announced Elspeth McBain, Chief Executive of Lighthouse. “We’re looking forward to bringing fun and laughter to thousands of families over the festive season thanks to this exciting new partnership.”
Aladdin enjoys a five-week run at Lighthouse from Tuesday 6 December 2016 to Saturday 7 January 2017. Tickets are on sale from Wednesday 13 April – book over the counter or call 01202 280000.
