Of all of the classic animations in Disney's vault, Aladdin, on paper, seems like an odd choice to be remade into a stage musical. Sure, the 1992 movie was a box office success but how can all that animated movie magic – the shape-shifting genie, the flying carpet, those life-altering wishes – possibly be translated to the stage?
Yet when the curtain rose on opening night at Auckland's Civic Theatre, it becomes clear that one should never doubt the House of Mouse. The Kingdom of Agrabah immediately leaps to life thanks to a dazzling beast of a set, stacked with detailed costumes and stunning song and dance numbers that demonstrate Disney has given this its all.
The result is a bombastic production oozing with class and style.
After the tone-defining set piece of Arabian Nights, the familiar story begins with a Broadway twist. Aladdin is still a sneaky street scamp but the emotional stakes have been raised. Proud of Your Boy, a brilliant new addition to Aladdin's songbook, gives Aladdin that character defining power ballad that all musical heroes need. He feels like a wholly new character, thanks in part to New Zealander Graeme Isaako who injects mischievous innocence into the role.
The whole cast embraces the challenge of this musical. Adam Murphy is malevolent perfection as the scheming Jafar while Shubshri Kandiah encapsulates Jasmine's fiery disposition. However, Bob Crowley's dazzling set risks stealing the show. From shape-shifting buildings to towers of gold, there is always so much happening in the background that you are left dizzied but mesmerised.
