July 6, 2008

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Barrowman to Star in U.K. Aladdin

By Andrew Gans
10 Sep 2007

John Barrowman as Aladdin.
photo by johnbarrowman.com

Stage and screen actor John Barrowman will star in a holiday pantomime at the Birmingham Hippodrome this winter.

The singing actor, who has been seen on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard and Putting It Together, will star in the title role of Aladdin. Performance dates at the U.K. venue are Dec. 19, 2007-Jan. 27, 2008.

Directed by Paul Elliot, the cast will also include Don McLean as Widow Twankey, Masashi Fujimoto as the Emperor, Lila McConigley as Princess Yasmin, Peter Gallagher as Abanazar, the Grumbleweeds as the Chinese Policemen and The Daleks. Hugh Durrant will design the production.

"Aladdin," according to press notes, "is the son of Widow Twankey, a poor woman who takes in laundry for a living. Instead of helping all Aladdin does is daydream about the Princess, the daughter of the Emperor, for he has fallen hopelessly in love with her. Then he meets a magician who tells him, 'I am your father's brother, Uncle Abanazar.' Abanazar shows Aladdin the entrance to an underground cavern and, giving him a magic ring for protection, says, 'Bring me the lamp which is in the cave, but touch nothing else.' Aladdin is amazed to find the cave full of treasure. Taking the lamp, he also picks up all the jewels he can carry and returns to the entrance. Abanazar order him to hand up the lamp first, but Aladdin refuses, suspecting Abanazar of some trickery. In a fury the magician closes the entrance and Aladdin is trapped. Wringing his hands in despair, his fingers rub against the magic ring and a Genie appears, declaring, 'Your wish is my command.' This Slave of the Ring reveals that, by rubbing the lamp, Aladdin can command an even more powerful Genie, who whisks Aladdin home and provides all the treasure he wishes. . ."

John Barrowman reprised his role as Billy Crocker in the National Theatre's production of Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He originally played the role opposite Elaine Paige in 1989. On Broadway, the actor starred in the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting It Together and also made a guest appearance in the New York company of Sunset Boulevard, repeating his London role as Joe Gillis. Barrowman's other London theatrical credits include Grease!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Fix, Miss Saigon and Beauty and the Beast. He made his London pantomime debut in a production of Cinderella and was also seen in the film of "The Producers." He has also been a judge on several reality TV casting programs and can currently be seen in the BBC series "Dr. Who" and "Torchwood."

For tickets call 0870 730 1234 or visit www.aladdinhippodrome.co.uk.




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