Venue: Magdalen School, Brackley

The sheer enthusiasm of this company overcame all the nerves and hiccups that occur during a "First Night" of any production. The audience was on the side of the 'goodies,' cheering loudly and booing the 'baddies' lustily throughout the performance.

Tina, using a David Swann script, made sure that every joke in the book was well played. She had a light touch in her direction, which enabled the company to develop their characters nicely. Every inch of the small stage was used to its best advantage, at no time was anyone masked or hidden from view. The pace I feel sure speeded up as the performances progressed, at this the opening night it was at times a little slow, mainly because the company was a bit unsure where some of the laughs would actually come. Moreover, she got the entire company to SMILE and look as if they were enjoying themselves, which they obviously really were!

Cathy as MD and as ever on keyboard for the performance was assisted by stalwart percussionist Lee Smith, both providing colourful sounds always under the singers voices. The musical numbers were well chosen and none of them too long.

Julia provided some good choreography for the players to execute, not too difficult and easy to watch.

Roy Timms as "Widow Twankey" made a traditional dame, full of bosom and over-the-top costumes. His heaving bust was reminiscent of the late Les Dawson. As ever Roy was quick to spot a chance for a clever ad-lib and sometimes used this to cover for the odd missing prompt when someone forgot his or her lines.

I felt the linkman role of "Wishee Washee" played by Brian DaBinett was somewhat under-written, he should have been a far more involved character, nonetheless Brian worked hard getting every ounce out of it, and the audience behind him.

Kerry Ayers made an attractive Principal Boy in her role as "Aladdin" full of smiles and fun, she had a great time outwitting Abanazar. Singing strongly and speaking her dialogue so the every word was heard.

A further Ayers family member Ray played the role of the villain "Abanazar" and what a villain he was, the audience booed and hissed him right from his first entrance. Nice one Ray!

Fiona Wright as the "Empress Tutti Fruitti" was full of pomp and a delightful snob, just as she should be, after all, NO-ONE would be good enough for her daughter the Princess nor should the lower classes be allowed to look at her beauty. Despite the odd forgetting of lines, covered up nicely by Fiona and other members of the company who did the same.

"Princess Jasmine" played by young member Rachel Holt was a good foil to Aladdin, singing and making the most of her smallish role, which again I thought somewhat underwritten.

Roger Wagland was a strong "Grand Vizier" he lorded over the Town with dignity and flair.

Anne Cooper as "Slave of the Ring" disguised as a robot also made the most of a smallish role; her voice synthesised by the sound crew was eerily different.

What can I say about Andrew Terry? I have never laughed so much as I did at his "Genie of the Lamp". This was a real treat, he was so camp, and OTT that he brought to life a sometimes-dull role. Julian Carey eat your heart out.

"Chop Chop and Na Na" Cathy Oakley and Marianne Mann respectively the knockabout police of Pekin worked hard to get their laughs and did well with the first night-audience. These two work well as a team and allow each other to take the lead as required by the script.

The players of the cameo roles and chorus all gave excellent support to the principals and each other.

Some simple settings and an excellent UV scene along with unobtrusive lighting, plus good costumes all made for an entertaining evening that should have had a bigger audience seated in the school hall, those of us there had a whale of a time. Brackley people support your local society they are good!

Robin Hinton-Brewer, NODA Midland area representative.