Aladdin And The Genie Of Unlimited Wishes: The Classic Story Told In Children’s Dance at Tandanya – Adelaide Fringe Review

Live From Tandanya Theatre, Sat 27 Feb As you’d imagine the SA Children’s Ballet Company’s production of Aladdin features a plethora of roles for aspiring ballerinas, but only one male role – that of Aladdin himself. The set is simple but costumes are quite exotic; middle-eastern girls in waiting and even belly dancing costumes complete with jangling coins for additional percussion. Of course the stars, Princess Jasmine, the Genie and the Oracle have even more ornate dress. Aladdin is relatively simply dressed, but the unsung hero of the show is Aladdin’s dog, who is as cute as and gets some great dance moves along the way. Stars get to shine singly and in pairs, the backing lines get to show us some good ballet moves in groups and in interacting with the stars and the narrator sometimes helps to keep us in the loop of the story. The story is not too hard to follow, even for a ‘balletophobe’ such as me and, while there is no dialogue as such, body and dancing language is used to good effect. While this will largely be a show for young ballerinas, or for mums to take sisters and brothers of the dancers, boys will also be able to enjoy the show. After all, a boy is the co-star! In fact I took one of each and it is true that the aspiring ballerina next to me was at times mesmerised, but the young lad rarely lost interest in proceedings on the stage. Clayton Werner Aladdin And The Genie Of Unlimited Wishes continues Live From Tandanya Theatre from 12pm and 2pm until Sun 28 Feb. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.