When the Marvels took to the big stage just two short Christmases ago, no-one could have imagined that “Panto Season” could grow into such a big deal within the Sporting Marvels calendar!
The term “best ever” is one often heard in in the SM environment and it has to be said that this year’s vintage - Aladdin - was, by a very long way, the best ever SM pantomime! In fact, rumour has it that following Smithy’s show-stopping performance as Widow Twankey, James Cameron, acclaimed director of Avatar (the highest grossing movie of all time) has had his people out knocking doors in Llwynypia, so keen is he to offer our amply proportioned hero the lead role in his next epic!!
Another SM saying is that “preparation matters” and this year’s performance demonstrated clearly, how true this is.
“I knew it was going to be a success from the word go”, said Pastor Debbie, the show’s director, producer and architect. “The team were excited from the off and so up for it! Lawrie carefully planned rehearsals into the diary and it meant everyone had plenty of time and practice to get their lines right! Casting went like a dream and, in Ashleigh, Beth and Smithy, I had a great team ready willing and able to take full responsibility for the costumes, the scenery and even for the on-the-night full-colour programme.
Becky and Chelsea landed the lead roles as Aladdin and Jasmine, with Chelsea’s singing bringing the house down; her screeched high notes out-decibelled only by the CEO’s hysterical laughter from the back row!
One thing’s for sure, X-Factor’s unlikely to be calling any time soon!!
Lawrie’s portrayal as bad guy, Jafar, was totally convincing: his brooding air of malevolence easily making him the first pantomime villain to have the audience trembling with fear since Ugo made Smithy cry at Scrooge!!
“I usually prefer to be cheered on stage rather than booed”, he said through a slightly despotic smirk, “But I felt that playing Jafar gave me the best shot at getting that Oscar I so richly deserve. I’ve been the nice guy and the funny guy, and both times come up short, so this time I thought I’d do my Denzel Washington/Training Day/mean-dude thing! I must admit to feeling increasingly confident that come February I’ll be holding my first Academy Award! If I’m not, you’ll know it’s a fix!!”
In typical Sporting Marvels fashion, everyone was full-on; strictly no passengers allowed! The new kids on the block, interns, Ashleigh and Beth, were awesome as The Emperor and the Genie of the Ring respectively. How Beth remembered all those rhymes was a marvel in itself!! Jodie did a great job as Wishee, Aladdin’s brother, and the Genie of the Lamp was played by the gentle giant himself, Grant, who demonstrated his total commitment to the role by donning a none-too-flattering, figure-hugging blue morph suit!!
The cast were joined by special guest and former Media Marvel, Carwyn, now studying at university. As half the funniest double act since Morecambe & Wise, Carwyn and sparring partner, Chris, captivated as the Woo & Choo, the Palace Policemen! The Gatehouse Auditorium erupted into hysterics every time they came on stage, although the pair aren’t expecting any fan mail from mothers of small babies, who all screamed the place down - in perfect harmony and blind terror!
Seriously though, the show had to be seen to be believed! With not a spare seat anywhere to be seen, the joy on the kids’ faces had CEO Phil, grinning ear-to-ear. “It really was quite amazing!” he said. “When these guys sign-up as Marvels, acting on stage is not something that’ gets discussed! Yet they all throw themselves into it with such gusto!! It’s no wonder they’re heroes to the kids - they can turn their hands to anything and it’ll prosper! After both shows, they were surrounded by ‘adoring fans’ - kids demanding autographs! I mean, we only put the autographs page in the programme as a space-filler really; so watching them queue-up was a bit unreal! It just goes to show that these kids really do love the Marvels!!”
The Facebook Feedback section, left, gives a flavour of how the kids enjoyed, but what about the adults?
In an email sent to director, Debbie, Gareth & Joanna Evans from Tonyrefail said, “Just arrived home after watching Aladdin. It was superb! In fact, we haven't laughed so much in ages. The whole family enjoyed, from Louie aged 7, right through to us two, a little older! Credit to you all. Hilarious!! And what about those police officers!!!”
Maxine Parry, from Beddau, agreed saying much the same thing: “Had an amazing time at the Gatehouse tonight! We all thought Aladdin was totally fab and loved it! Well done to all you budding stars of stage and screen!!”
“With 340 people showing-up over the two nights, Aladdin is now our biggest ever ‘out-of-school’ event!” said Lawrie, this time speaking as Team Leader rather than as Jafar. “To see so many parents, All-Stars and Mighty Marvels kids at the Gatehouse - all paying for the privilege - shows how much influence this team has on the kids we work with. It all reinforces the fact that as we build the relationship platform and see our influence grow and grow, we are changing lives for the better. We are building an irresistible momentum that’ll see more and more come through and as I’ve said before, when we win them to Sporting Marvels”.
