ALADDIN AND HIS MAGICAL LAMP Hills Youth Theatre Stirling Community Theatre Review by Theresa Dolman This Tim Kelly adaptation of the Disney version of the old Syrian tale has the evil magician Jammal(Raymond Dalfson) and his equally evil sister Halima (Emily Morris) pursuing Aladdin (Jesse Foote)to the city of Shammar and tricking him into stealing a lamp. During his adventures, Aladdin falls in lovewith the elusive Princess Jasmine (Gabi Lane), who is betrothed to non other than Ali Bubba (ElliotRaphael). With some help from some Genies (the lamp is magic!), Aladdin gets the girl and they all livehappily ever after. With a cast of over fifty youngsters there were inevitable variations in the talent. Director Judy Sampsonmanaged to share out the smaller roles to give as many children as possible a part to call their own,which is what youth theatre is all about. Unfortunately, some of the cast have not yet masteredprojection, and even the overhead microphones were not always able to pick up their voices. There were some very good performances, including Rebecca Van Essen (Merchant Woman), Ella Davies(Neighbour) and all three Genies: Alex Newell, Jack Newell, Lucy Kautsky. The chorus numbers were alldelivered with enthusiasm. Not all people in pantomimes are people; Sam Morris was a joy to watch as the mischievous monkeyAlakazam and Hebe Sayce made a delightful fireless breathing dragon. The costumes, produced byJudy Sampson and Anna Baker, were well designed and a credit to the company. Carina Angelo's set design was simple but effective, with colourful backdrops and revolving side panelsused to set the scenes. The lighting design was appropriate to give all the feeling needed for eachscene, though the operators seemed to be having a few problems on opening night. As in all pantos, good triumphs over evil. But in this case, evil also triumphed---the stars of the nightwere undoubtedly the evil siblings, played by Raymond Dalfson and Emily Morris. It is worth the price ofthe ticket just to hear Emily sing. The show was enjoyed by all the family and friends in the audience. Long live youth theatre and all whoparticipate in her!