Hong Kong Players Tomorrow-Dec 13 Shouson Theatre, HK Arts Centre Said to be the grandest dame of all dames in Panto Land, Widow Twankey will be making her grand entrance in the Hong Kong Players' forthcoming pantomime production of Aladdin, starting tomorrow at the Hong Kong Arts Centre. Stepping into her big shoes will be Lucas Cox (left), a local panto veteran whose previous dames include Madame Pastabest in Alice!, Dame Lovely in Snow White and Binge in last year's Cinderella, opposite Ugly Sister Purge. The music teacher is delighted to be back on stage but says the limelight will be squarely on the audience rather than his character. 'Panto is like the Rugby Sevens of theatre,' Cox says. 'Whereas at most plays the audience is meant to sit there and not make a peep, in panto we want you to be as loud as you can. 'Cheer the good guys, boo the baddies ... and definitely heckle the dame. Also, the jokes work on two levels - there's lots of slapstick comedy for the kids, and there's plenty of risqu? humour that goes over the kids' heads but spears adults right in the funny bone.' Based on a fable from One Thousand and One Nights, Aladdin remains one of the most regularly staged pantomimes. Dame Twankey is the protagonist's mother and a washerwoman with ideas well above her station. The larger-than-life character has been played by many including British thespian Sir Ian McKellen. The Hong Kong Players production will feature a new, locally written script and rock and pop music from the 1980s including hits by Michael Jackson, Journey and Katrina & the Waves. As in all pantomimes, while the dame is always played by a man, the 'principal boy' role will be taken on by a female actor. In this case, Bethan Greaves, an accomplished singer and founder of singing company Katterwall, will be playing Aladdin. They will be accompanied by a live band performing numbers such as Together in Electric Dreams, I Want to Break Free and Karma Chameleon. Also appearing will be Jane Archibald as the Genie of the Lamp and Ric Beesley as Salve of the Ring, who promise some 'devilishly good dancing'. And no pantomime is complete without fabulous costumes. According to the local theatre company, whose history goes back to 1844, costume designer Katy Scott has gone bigger and brighter with the wardrobe and achieved an ancient Arabia meets 80s shoulder-pad crossover look. Widow Twankey's outfits will be a show stopper themselves as she was overheard saying: 'Well, I do like a good frock.' 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, HK$290 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 9009
