Sometimes there’s magic in simplicity and you don’t get a more straightforward story than boy meets girl, an evil plot is overthrown and everyone lives happily ever after. That’s the story of Aladdin in a nutshell but what a spell was wrought by the students of St Joseph’s College Ipswich with their youthful energy, talent and joy.
The cast gave three performances of Disney’s Aladdin Jr at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge, (June 24 and 25) and left no-one in any doubt about their pleasure in performance. It was a fast-paced magic carpet ride from rags to riches that made it impossible not to smile.
Every scene and every number were applauded. Experienced performer Sam Finan was outstanding. He made a magnificent, yet vulnerable, bright blue Genie, helping Aladdin win the heart of Princess Jasmine before being helped in his turn.
The school’s retiring Deputy Head Boy, Reuben Truter, won the heart of the audience along with Princess Jasmine’s in the role of Aladdin. It was a second appearance in the musical for Reuben – he last appeared in it as a Year 5 boy at school in South Africa.
Particularly known at St Jo’s for his sporting prowess, boarding student Reuben appeared remarkably at home in this new kind of leading role. Come Seoptember, he will be taking up a football scholarship in Oklahoma – where he might feel another musical coming on…
A seasoned performer, like Sam, Josie Crichton played Jasmine with the grace of an accomplished dancer. She was an elegant and determinedly independent princess; no wonder her retinue loved her.
Kudos here, too, to Millie Strafford and Oscar Willis, who took on the roles of Jasmine and Aladdin for the matinee performance, whilst playing Rajah and Sultan respectively in the evenings.
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