Review: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
The Tobacco Factory Theatre and Travelling Light
Tobacco Factory Theatre
09 December 2009 – 17 January 2010
There are certain quality hallmarks that one comes to expect from the Christmas show at the Tobacco Factory Theatre. A strong cast, gripping storyline, plenty of humour and belly laughs and some good musical numbers. Not once has the Tobacco Factory come up with a turkey and this year’s excellent show must be one of the best yet.
This super production from both the Tobacco Factory Theatre and Travelling Light, presents a brand new show based on the original tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
Put simply, the story follows the poor but kind woodcutter Ali Baba as he stumbles upon the magical cave of the Forty Thieves. His proud brother soon discovers the secret of the cave and ultimately pays a high price for his greed. Ali Baba and his down-to-earth family are not out of danger themselves and it takes heroic action from his servant to save them all.
Travelling Light add their own touch of sparkle to this well paced magical tale, with mesmerizing cave scenes, inventive use of props and the Forty Thieves themselves are both hysterical and inspired.
Children were transfixed and even the show’s menacing thieves and the dispatching of Ali Baba’s brother Kasim, was handled with humour and care. This truly is a family friendly production, pulling in everyone from tots to adults. Each half was well timed with not one child traipsing out for a toilet trip.
The small cast of five fill the stage brilliantly. Saikat Ahamed‘s wonderfully humble Ali Baba could double for Lost’s Sayid. Comedy element Felix Hayes playing the Captain of the Thieves and the wife of Ali Baba’s brother need only look at the audience to make them laugh. Remi Tawose makes for a suitably stylish brother to Ali Baba and can be one of the few people in the world who can make the word ‘murder’ sound quite so comical. Meline Danielewicz‘s entertained as the dim witted thief and long suffering wife of Ali Baba. Suzanne Ahmet‘s feisty and intelligent performance of servant girl Marijanah really was a joy, particularly whilst dispatching 37 thieves single handedly.
The hugely talented Benji Bower remains a shadow on the side of the stage, but his original composition and live soundtrack adds a touch of intelligence and mood that combines with Sally Cookson‘s direction to complete the perfect package.
Totally without the saccharin and gaudiness of other festive offerings, if you only see festive show this Christmas, make it this one.