Alezzin

Now ingrained in the seasonal cabaret and theatre schedule, adult pantos offer an alternative to the mainstream, more sanitised productions that take place in every major city and town in the UK.

 


For me, a good adult panto needs a strong and easily definable plot, elements of surprise that reflect the zeitgeist, a liberal smattering of satire, heaps of innuendo and a rip-roaring set of musical numbers. Alezzin, written and directed by Gareth Joyner is a prime example of when those elements are put together to create what can only be described as an exquisite adult panto. It just has IT!

The First Lady of Rotherham, Myra DuBois (Widow Twank’ Stain) leads a cast of six through this modern day pastiche of Aladdin. And from the moment the curtain was raised and Harry Clayton-Wright (Willy Fook) strutted onto the stage like a hirsute Beyoncé, cajoling the audience with his snappy slang, you kinda know you’re in for a good ride.

Myra will absolutely hate me for saying this, because she gets it all the time, but there’s a real air of Lily Savage about her in this show. A huge compliment for any drag artist in my opinion. The demeanour and mannerisms. That snark and Cruella de Vil-esque look.

Switching from complete deadpan expressions to pained jollity. Lucy Frederick (Ana-Lee) provides understated comedy BLISS! Her mere presence had me howling. Such a natural. I was transfixed by Fredrick’s performance.

“I laughed from start to finish, and I’m someone who suffers from the occasional bout of panto fatigue.”

The same goes for Sooz Kempner (Alezzin) blurting out stage directions and delivering effortless gags and a stunning rendition of Defying Gravity. Just wonderful. It’s a team effort though and there’s no one dominating character, even though I thought pre-show there may be.

The real star of this adult panto is the writing. I’m not gonna beat around anyone’s bush (arrrrrrrf) but I laughed from start to finish, and I’m someone who suffers from the occasional bout of panto fatigue.

The second to last musical number (I’m not telling, it’s too good of a surprise) had me gasping for breath and the laundry bag scene is like a Two Ronnies sketch. You can definitely tell where Gareth’s influences lie, and he transfers them into an all original show well.

Despite a few mic issues on the night, Alezzin is a superb show, and, in all honesty belongs on a bigger stage playing to bigger audiences.

It left me with one thought stuck in my mind: Acorn Antiques – The Panto. It’ll make sense when you inevitably see it.

 

• Alezzin is at the Two Brewers until 30th December.

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