Oh Yes He Is! Aladdin is Coming to the Lyric

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With "bigger dance routines, mountains more glitter and even older jokes"

Aladdin, this year's pantomime at The Lyric Hammersmith, begins its run on November 22 and will continue throughout the festive season.

Following the huge success of the last two years' pantos, Dick Whittington & his Cat and Jack & the Beanstalk, writers Joel Horwood and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm have reunited with Soho Theatre Artistic Director Steve Marmion for their third annual Lyric Christmas show.

Back by popular demand for a second outing, London’s most popular pantomime dame Shaun Prendergast plays Widow Twankey in the classic rags to riches tale.

He is once again joined by Steven Webb (Betwixt!, West End; The Inbetweeners, E4) as Wishy Washy and Simon Kunz (Mongrel Island, Soho Theatre) as Abanazer.

Joining the cast this year is Hammed Animashaun, last seen at the Lyric in Matthew Dunster’s Mogadishu, lending his unparalleled comic timing to the eponymous role, alongside Dominique Moore (Horrible Histories; Hotel Trubble, CBBC), playing the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Karen and Sophia Nomvete (England People Very Nice, NT) as the Spirit of the Ring.

The cast will be joined on stage by an ensemble of young actors from the Lyric Young Company.

Set in the magical empire of Ha-Ma-Smit, the show follows Aladdin and his brother Wishy Washy as they befriend the Genie and try to stop the evil Abanazer as he attempts to take control of the empire. With a flying carpet, a magic lamp, a monkey and, of course, Widow Twankey, the pantomime will be a festive experience for the whole family.

Commenting on being the helm of the Lyric panto for the third year running, Steve Marmion says: " It’s great to be back at the Lyric. We are aiming for bigger dance routines, more outrageous costumes, mountains more glitter and even older jokes! Christmas starts now!"

Aladdin, suitable for ages six and upwards, opens on November 22 with a series of daytime performances with local schoolkids among the audience. and continues with twice daily performances on Saturday November 26 and throughout December. For all performance times check here.

The Lyric says family tickets are strictly limited per performance, and advises people to book early to avoid disappointment. Family Tickets cannot be booked online, so call the box office on 0871 22 117 29.  Other tickets are available to book online.

The Lyric also has seasonal shows for children aged three to seven running on Saturdays at 11 am and 1pm, including Gretel and Hansel, a fun-filled retelling of the story with puppet and maric tricks on November 19, and The Magician's Daughter, a blend of puppetry and song inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest on November 26, with extra shows on November 27, Family Sunday, at 12pm and 2pm.

Throughout December, the Lyric will have twice daily performances of Holly and Ivan's Christmas Adventure, the magical tale of two brave little toys who fall off the back of Santa's sleigh, suitable for under sixes.Tickets for these children's shows can also be combined with Messy Play sessions. For full details, click here.

November 16, 2011