A-Ladd-In at the Sallis Benney Theatre in Brighton
There is a very simple premise to be applied here: if you take eight very skilled performers and put them into a panto that is totally geared up to have you laughing out aloud as soon as the overture has finished, you can’t fail.
The cast reads like the best of the best, a who’s who of some of the best cabaret and drag stars working the scene today. Dave Lynn as Princess Dazz-Lyn; Jason Sutton, aka Miss Jason, as Window Wankey; Stephen Richards, aka Lola Lasagne, as Ivana Tramp; David Pollikett as Pam, Slave of the Ring; Jon Hughes as Jean, the Genie; Christopher Howard as Ave ‘A’ Varda; Jason Lee as Willy Wankey; and lastly Allan Jay in the title role of Aladdin.
The outrageous result is 100 minutes of side splitting chuckles and cheers of delight. These performers as an ensemble are unstoppable and had from the start an audience in the palm of their collective hand. Every comedy device was implemented here, from site gags to slapstick to the inevitable audience participation, which was pure joy to watch.
Accolades have to be awarded to Allan Jay and Jason Lee, who both have superb range and shone when delivering their respective solos. Writer Andrew Stark fires on all cylinders; the pace of this panto is fiercely frantic and absurdly energetic. All in all an incredible night of fun ‘n’ frolics. Very polished, just like the lamp!
*****
A-Ladd-In runs until 2 February at the Sallis Benney Theatre, Grand Parade, Brighton, BN2 0JY. Book tickets via thealternativepantobrighton.co.uk.
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