"Aladdin - Sheffield Theatres Lyceum"

Tuesday 9th December 2025

"Aladdin"

Sheffield Theatre Lyceum

This was my first time visiting Sheffield Theatres, and I was blown away. I had never been before, and the theatre itself is stunning from the welcoming atmosphere to the comfortable seating, it set the perfect stage for an unforgettable panto experience.

The pantomime season has officially begun, and last night’s performance of Aladdin at Sheffield Theatres was the perfect way to welcome it in. Bursting with humour, heart, and dazzling spectacle this production delivered everything you want from a festive night out and so much more.

For those unfamiliar, Aladdin tells the story of a young man who, with the help of a magical Genie, sets out to win the heart of the courageous Princess Jasmine while outsmarting the villainous Ivan Tochacha. Along the way, Aladdin navigates daring adventures, enchanted treasures, and plenty of comedy, making for a fun, magical, and heartwarming story that keeps audiences of all ages captivated.

Sario Solomon captivates as Aladdin, bringing energy, daring, and a refreshing sense of adventure to the role. His singing is confident, expressive, and emotionally engaging, carrying each musical moment with clarity and feeling. From high-flying action sequences to tender exchanges with Princess Jasmine, Sario navigates every scene with effortless skill and presence, making each moment feel dynamic and memorable.

His rapport with the audience is immediate and engaging, drawing everyone into the story with a natural charisma that makes him incredibly relatable. Sario’s playful interactions with the Genie, Charlie, and the ensemble add vibrancy and humour, keeping the energy of the show alive throughout. He moves across the stage with agility and purpose, excelling in dance routines, comedic beats, and romantic scenes alike. Aladdin is both brave and endearing in Sario’s performance, providing a strong, captivating focal point for the production. His portrayal anchors the story while elevating the magic, spectacle, and excitement of the panto, leaving the audience fully immersed and delighted from start to finish.

Lauren Chia is a captivating Princess Jasmine, perfectly balancing elegance, intelligence and strength. Her stage presence is graceful and magnetic, drawing the audience in from the first moment she appears. Her vocals are clear, expressive and beautifully delivered. Giving her solos warmth and emotion while blending seamlessly in ensemble numbers. Lauren brings a modern spark to the character, portraying Jasmine as confident and independent while also embracing playful, comedic moments with ease. Her chemistry with Aladdin is natural and engaging and she interacts effortlessly with the ensemble, helping to create lively, memorable scenes that showcase both charm and heart. Every number she performs feels thoughtful, polished, and full of energy, making her a truly standout Jasmine.

Kevin Clifton, the Strictly superstar, is perfectly cast as the villainous Ivan Tochacha. As the scheming baddie of the story, Ivan Tochacha is determined to outsmart Aladdin, gain the Genie’s power for himself and stop Aladdin from winning Princess Jasmine’s heart. He’s cunning, mischievous, and larger-than-life the perfect foil for our hero. Kevin brings this character to life with thrilling energy and commanding stage presence, keeping the audience on their toes. His dance routines are a particular highlight, especially his Cha Cha, which had everyone cheering. Beyond his technique, Kevin’s interaction with the audience and sheer performance charisma make every scene with Ivan Tochacha entertaining, showing that even the villain can steal the show.

There were also some fantastic moments when Kevin Clifton and the ensemble performed an energetic dance piece. The choreography was sharp, lively, and full of flair, and seeing Kevin move seamlessly with the cast was a real treat. It added even more sparkle and excitement to the show, keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.

Damian Williams is a comedic powerhouse as Dame Dolly. From the moment he steps on stage, he commands it with effortless timing, hilarious improvisation, and an endless parade of outrageously fabulous costumes. Every joke lands perfectly, and his playful interaction with the audience adds an extra layer of joy to the performance. Damian’s energy is boundless, his expressions are perfectly exaggerated, and he carries the humour through every scene with flair. His warm, cheeky humour and larger-than-life presence make him a true highlight of the night, keeping both children and adults laughing from start to finish.

Elliot Broadfoot bursts onto the stage as the Genie with huge personality, comedic flair and electrifying energy. From the moment he appears, his entrances are unforgettable, instantly captivating the audience and bringing a sense of wonder, magic, and excitement to every scene.

Elliot masterfully balances humour with heart, giving the Genie depth and dimension while still delivering laugh-out-loud moments that delight children and adults alike. His timing is impeccable, and his improvisational skills allow him to interact playfully with the audience and fellow cast members, creating spontaneous moments of joy and surprise.

His bold stage presence ensures he dominates every scene, whether performing spectacular magic, engaging in physical comedy, or participating in ensemble numbers. Elliot moves with confidence and fluidity, his gestures, expressions, and energy making the Genie feel alive, larger-than-life, and truly magical. Each performance leaves a lasting impression, and his charisma, warmth and sheer theatrical brilliance elevate the show to another level making him one of the undeniable highlights of the panto.

Joey Wilby is wonderfully entertaining as Charlie delivering a lively, spirited and hilariously funny performance. His comedic timing is impeccable, landing every joke perfectly and his natural rapport with both the audience and fellow cast members makes him instantly memorable. Joey brings a charming, infectious energy to the role that lights up every scene he is in.

His clever physical comedy, expressive gestures and playful facial expressions add an extra layer of fun and mischief to the story ensuring both children and adults are thoroughly entertained. Joey moves with confidence across the stage, seamlessly engaging in ensemble numbers, interacting dynamically with the principal cast and enhancing the comedic pacing of the show. He contributes significantly to the heart, humour, and joyful energy of the production, making Charlie a truly delightful and unforgettable character.

One of my favourite moments was when Kevin Clifton, Damian Williams (Dame Dolly), and Joey Wilby (Charlie)performed a comedy lip-syncing routine. It was absolutely hilarious! Their timing, expressions, and playful chemistry had the audience in stitches a perfect example of the fun, interactive humour that makes this panto so special.

George Akid brings sharp physical comedy, clever timing, and quick-witted humour to the role of PC World. His character work is full of personality, from precise gags to expressive gestures that consistently entertain. George’s interactions with both principal cast and ensemble members are playful and dynamic, creating memorable comedic moments that engage audiences of all ages. Whether performing solo sequences or supporting large group numbers, his energy and enthusiasm enhance the festive atmosphere and provide a steady stream of laughs. George adds charm, humour, and liveliness to every scene, helping to maintain the joyful, celebratory spirit that makes this panto so memorable.

Evie Pickerill, familiar to audiences from CBeebies, shines as the Spirit of the Ring, radiating enchantment, poise, and a captivating stage presence. Her singing is luminous and expressive, bringing clarity, warmth, and a magical quality that elevates each musical number. She effortlessly guides the story, providing key moments of direction and interaction that feel both natural and engaging, helping the audience follow Aladdin’s adventure with ease.

Evie’s rapport with the cast is seamless, whether sharing playful exchanges with Aladdin and the Genie or supporting the ensemble in larger numbers. Her performance adds a delicate sense of wonder and charm to the production, creating moments of genuine awe and delight. From her graceful entrances to her commanding yet approachable presence, she imbues the Spirit of the Ring with personality, heart, and elegance, leaving a lasting impression and making her an essential and unforgettable part of the panto.

The ensemble bring the world of Sheffield’s panto to life with bright choreography, infectious energy, and smooth transitions between scenes. Key performers include Charlotte Ross Gower as Villager/Mummy and Dance Captain, alongside Eleanor Rose Jackson, Thandie Nsingo, Max Sanderson, Onuri Smith, and Lucas Wells as Villagers/Mummies. Together, they add depth, humour, and sparkle to every scene, helping to create a lively, festive world full of magic and joy. I absolutely loved the energy they brought to the stage — from where I was sitting, I could be sweating just watching them and they completely blew the audience away.

One of the most magical moments of the night was when the magic carpet came out into the audience. It was so special and clever, with tricks I have never seen before! I won’t spoil it, but it’s definitely a moment that will leave you wide-eyed and amazed you’ll have to book your ticket to see exactly what I mean. Another standout moment was when Aladdin sang his solo, a magical “Defying Gravity” Magic Carpet Version. It was a brilliant twist on the classic, and seeing it performed while incorporating the magic carpet made it even more special. I thought it was incredibly cool and a real highlight of the night

The musical numbers were a real treat, with a mix of classic hits and festive favourites that had the audience singing, clapping, and cheering along. “Golden Hunters” was a particular highlight energetic, catchy, and full of sparkle, it really got the crowd going. Another memorable moment was their fun rendition of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, which had everyone smiling and joining in with the infectious energy. This was breathtaking, and the lively ensemble songs added even more sparkle to the show and there were so many more! Every number showcased the cast’s vocal talents and contributed to the festive, magical atmosphere.

The set design by Morgan Brind, Michelle Marden, and Stuart Relph is spectacular, transporting the audience to multiple magical locations with stunning detail. From the Egyptian streets with mummies to the dazzling Cave of Wonders, each set is immersive, colourful, and visually striking. The Egyptian scenes are playful and full of character, perfectly complementing the ensemble’s energy, while the Cave of Wonders elicits genuine gasps from the audience with its grandeur and sparkle. These sets, combined with lighting, costumes, and choreography, create a fully enchanting panto world that makes the story come alive.

The costumes were absolutely breathtaking glittery, vibrant, and covered in so many sequins! Morgan Brind and Amy Chamberlain designed the dazzling outfits for most of the cast, while Michael J. Batchelor designed the stunning Dame costumes, and Joey Wilby contributed his own Dame creations. From Dame Dolly’s towering, over-the-top outfits to the Genie’s flashy ensemble and Princess Jasmine’s elegant, shimmering gowns, every costume caught the stage lights beautifully, bringing sparkle and magic to every movement. Even the ensemble and villagers were adorned in bright, sequined outfits that popped on stage, making each scene feel festive, playful, and alive. It truly felt like stepping into a magical, glittering world — the costumes alone were enough to leave you in awe!

Choreography, led by Sarah Langley, is vibrant and engaging, giving every performer a chance to shine. The ensemble’s movements are precise, energetic, and full of flair, adding excitement and spectacle to every number.

The lighting and sound were absolutely phenomenal. Mark Dymock’s lighting design was powerful and dynamic, perfectly highlighting every scene, costume, and movement on stage. From dramatic moments to dazzling ensemble numbers, the lighting added depth, energy, and a true sense of spectacle. Chris Whybrow’s sound design was crystal clear and immersive honestly, it was the best theatre sound I have ever experienced. Every vocal, effect, and musical cue was perfectly balanced, making you feel fully part of the action. Combined, the lighting and sound made the show feel like a true West End production, elevating the entire experience to an extraordinary level.

I was completely blown away by James Harrison, the Musical Director and keyboardist. He brought incredible energy to the panto, engaging with the audience throughout the show in a way I have never seen before. From the moment we took our seats, he and the band led a warm-up that instantly made you feel festive and ready for the magic to begin. Watching him play the keyboard while directing the band and moving with the music was phenomenal — he truly got into every beat, creating a joyful, Christmasy atmosphere. I have to say, James totally looks like Danny Jones, which made him even more striking on stage! Danny Hammerton on trumpet matched his energy perfectly, and together with James Clarke on guitar and Mikey Ciancio on drums, they created a vibrant musical heartbeat for the entire show.

The production is expertly guided by Paul Hendy as Writer, Director, and Producer with Emily Wood serving as Producer and Associate Director. Their vision ensures that every element from story, comedy, and music to dance, set, and spectacle comes together seamlessly, creating a magical, cohesive and thoroughly entertaining panto experience.

Special Access Performances:

Sheffield Theatres are offering a range of performances to ensure everyone can enjoy the magic of Aladdin:

• Relaxed Performance: Thursday 11th December at 10:15am

• Signed Performances: Friday 12th December at 1pm and Wednesday 17th December

• Captioned Performances: Friday 19th December and Saturday 3rd January 2026

• Audio Described Performances: Wednesday 17th December at 7pm and Sunday 4th January at 1pm, with audio description by Suzzie Casson and Ella Hardy

These performances provide an inclusive theatre experience, making sure all audiences can fully enjoy the sparkle, humour, and magic of the show.

Aladdin at Sheffield Theatres was everything a pantomime was so hilarious, heart-warming, visually dazzling, and full of festive fun. With standout performances, polished production values, and joyful panto magic from start to finish, I absolutely really enjoyed this panto, and I’m afraid to say this must be one of the best pantomimes I have ever seen so far! This is definitely one of my favourite pantos of all time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Exciting news for pantomime fans Sheffield Theatres have announced that next year’s panto will be Cinderella and due to popular demand, Damian Williams will be making a return debut in a brand-new role! Tickets are now on sale and with the same talented writer and director, Paul Hendy, it’s already shaping up to be another must-see festive experience.

Aladdin will be playing at Sheffield Theatres Lyceum until Sunday 4th January 2026 so there’s still plenty of time to book your tickets and experience the magic for yourself!

A must-see panto experience that will leave you laughing, cheering, and completely enchanted don’t miss it!

Review written By Owen Brindley