This year’s Christmas panto Aladdin did the Littleport Players’ company proud! The costumes were expertly designed and made for the cast by award-winning

Ely Standard: Great performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBBGreat performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBB (Image: Archant)

Sheila Goodall, transporting the appreciative - and very noisy - audience to the ancient China of star of the story, Aladdin.

Having moved from its old venue Littleport Village Hall where they have presented shows for 23 years, to the brand-new hall in the Littleport and East Cambs Academy, the modern location lent itself very well to the technical requirements this production needed.

Ely Standard: Great performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBBGreat performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBB (Image: Archant)

The clever sets were designed by Director Karen Booth with Becky Green, complemented by the expertise of the sound and lighting crew, Chris Rose, James Rose and Johnny Jarvis.

The music was supplied by the ‘Aladdin Band’ aka Music Director Mark A J Checkley on keyboard, Peter Theobald, Bass, and Colin Braysher, Drums.

Ely Standard: Great performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBBGreat performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBB (Image: Archant)

If the success of a pantomime is measured by the level of decibels emanating from the audience, this one must top the list.

The participatory boos for the wicked Abanazer was played to perfection by Jack Barry, who also received loud applause for his rendering of ‘I’m reviewing the situation’.

Ely Standard: Great performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBBGreat performances by the cast and crew of Littleport Players who staged this year's panto Aladdin. Picture: CATHY GIBB (Image: Archant)

And there were shouts of “Ah So” every time Wishee Washee, the athletic Ethan Nelson, leapt on to the stage with a kick-boxing move.

The traditional “Oh no he’s not” and laughter raised too by Jack Byng’s inimitable performance as queen of panto dames, Widow Twankey, were memorable.

Then were the comic police played by the Littleport Players double-act Becky Green and Chelsea Booth, and Mini Wishee well-acted by Dennyson Double.

Megan Bidecant’s delightful rendering of songs got huge applause for the Genie of the Lamp and there were jjeers for the Executioner looking highly menacing, played by Claire Lees,.

The yellss and gasps at the Spirit of the Ring was spookily portrayed by Tim Frost and as well as the singing along everyone contributed to the excitement in the auditorium.

The part of the Empress was played with panache by Sue Caller, So-Shy was played very well by Erin Malkin. Princess Mandarin was played elegantly by Chloe Shackleton and Aladdin himself was played convincingly by Principal Boy Lisa Brown.

All the leading actors were ably supported by an all dancing all singing rest of the cast as the Citizens of Peking, Spirits of the Cave and Laundry Workers.

This talented group were Vanessa Beammer, Jessica Gillett-Woodley, Ashlie-Skye Wood, Millie Evans, Hannah Chudleigh, Elizabeth Chudleigh, Ena Baker, Janie Allen, Ella Jones, Charlotte Robinson, Amber Page, Dennyson Double, Ebany Askew, Charlie East, Lyla Bullock, Jorja Double, Hannah Turnock, Matthew Palmer, and Summer Barrow.

Next big show will be the summer musical 11-13 July 2019 at the Littleport and East Cambs Academy and details and auditions will be announced soon. Further information from rebekahgreen2016@outlook.com or website: www.littleportplayers.co.uk