An all-star television pantomime from the pen of future sitcom legend David Croft.
In this traditional Christmas Day pantomime, the young Aladdin (Angela Richards) lives with his mother, the formidable dame Widow Twankey (Arthur Askey), and his knockabout brother, Wishee Washee (Roy Castle). The wicked magician Abanazar (Alan Curtis) dupes Aladdin into retrieving a magic lamp from a cave. Aladdin becomes trapped but, with the aid of the Genie of the Ring (Christine Child) and the powerful Slave of the Lamp (David Davenport), he escapes to win the heart of the Princess (Mary Millar) and foil Abanazar’s plans.
Written and produced by David Croft, this production is a significant early marker in the career of one of Britain’s most successful comedy writers. Made before he created Dad’s Army, the programme is a masterclass in traditional light entertainment, assembling a cast of variety-era heavyweights. The pairing of veteran comedy star Arthur Askey with the energetic, multi-talented Roy Castle provided the show with its comic engine. Broadcast on Christmas Day, the pantomime was a major event in the BBC’s festive schedule, a quintessential piece of studio entertainment complete with musical numbers from The George Mitchell Singers and elaborate routines by The Douglas Squires Dancers.
Broadcast: BBC One, 1 Episode, 25 December 1966
Written by: David Croft
Producer: David Croft
Director: Peter Whitmore
Music by: Art Day, Harry Rabinowitz
Choreography by: Douglas Squires
Main Cast: Arthur Askey (Widow Twankey), Roy Castle (Wishee Washee), Angela Richards (Aladdin), Alan Curtis (Abanazar), Mary Millar (The Princess), Ian Wallace (The Emperor), Peter Grant (The Vizier), David Davenport (Slave of the Lamp), Christine Child (The Genie of the Ring), Pat Goh (So Shy), Charlie Cairoli
