THE always polished professional Disney stage productions put you in mind of modern day packaging of chocolates and sweets, beautiful presented giving the impression that there is far more of the product within the wrapping that there actually is. When you finally get over the shortage of the product on offer and sample the sweets or chocolate, you are rarely disappointed with the quality.

And when you look past the flimsy story, and past the superb sets and costumes, this production certainly is a quality product. It is rare to find the balance between vocal, orchestral input, and added tapped vocal input so perfectly synchronized. There is a lighting plot that most productions would give their eye teeth to possess, combined with skilfully-designed choreography make you doubt the truth of the programme that there are only 15 in the ensemble. From the energetic One Jump Ahead, through the dazzling Friend Like Me, to the fun- filled High Adventure, which also featured the delightful comedy trio of Babkak (Nelson Bettencourt), Omar (Adam Taylor) and Kassim (Nay-Nay), every number in which the ensemble was engaged was a visual joy.

As if they needed to underline their comedic abilities Babkak, Omar and Kassim joined Yeukayi Ushe’s par excellence Genie – a cross between the legendary Cab Calloway and Eddie Murphy – and Gavin Adams’ Aladdin, who combined the dashing hero with a sense of fun in Somebody’s Got You Back.

Among a dazzling array of visual effects was a flying carpet that whisked Aladdin and Desmonda Cathabel’s feisty Princess Jasmine on romantic ride through a starlit sky singing A Whole New World.

The traditional wicked Uncle Abanazar is missing from this adaptation of the much loved Thousand-and-One-Night’s story, but with Adam’s Strong’s Jafar on hand to provide, with assistance from Angelo Paragoso’s expertly judged slow witted Iago, a delightful mixture of arch villainy and tomfoolery, who needed a wicked Uncle. Add Jo Servi’s dignified Sultan, always fighting a loosing battle with his strong-willed daughter Jasmine, and you have a group of principle players to match the high quality ensemble.

This show does not attempt to be high art. It is a colourful, beautifully staged and highly professional production intended to present a visual treat and be highly entertaining, and it achieves that end with flying colours

It can be seen at the Bristol Hippodrome until Sunday 11th August.

GRP