Aladdin

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A Magical Journey: Aladdin on the West End

The West End has long been synonymous with theatrical brilliance, and Disney’s Aladdin stands as one of its most enchanting offerings. This spectacular musical, based on the 1992 animated film, officially opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on June 15, 2016, following previews from May 27, and ran until August 24, 2019. With a score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin, and a book by Beguelin, Aladdin brought Agrabah’s magic to London under the direction and choreography of Casey Nicholaw. A dazzling fusion of romance, comedy, and jaw-dropping spectacle, the show captivated over a million West End theatergoers, cementing its place as a modern classic.

Origins and Development

Aladdin’s journey to the West End began with its Broadway premiere at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20, 2014, following a pre-Broadway tryout in Toronto in late 2013. Disney Theatrical Productions, buoyed by successes like The Lion King, adapted the beloved film into a stage extravaganza, restoring cut songs like “Proud of Your Boy” and introducing new numbers by Menken and Beguelin. The West End production retained this creative core, helmed by Nicholaw known for The Book of Mormon with Bob Crowley’s scenic design, Gregg Barnes’s costumes, and Natasha Katz’s lighting conjuring a vivid Arabian Nights aesthetic.

The London transfer was announced in 2015, promising to bring the “theatrical magic” (Daily Telegraph) that had already won five Tony nominations stateside. Opening with a British-led cast, Aladdin tailored its humor and energy to West End sensibilities, quickly earning acclaim as a “shining, shimmering spectacle” (Huffington Post).

The Plot: A Whole New World

Set in the fictional city of Agrabah, Aladdin follows the street-smart titular hero, a “diamond in the rough” scraping by with his monkey pal, Abu. When he stumbles into the Cave of Wonders and rubs a magic lamp, he unleashes the boisterous Genie, who grants him three wishes. Aladdin’s first wish transforms him into Prince Ali to woo Princess Jasmine, who chafes against her royal confines and an impending arranged marriage. Their romance is thwarted by Jafar, the Sultan’s scheming vizier, and his sidekick Iago, who plot to seize the lamp and the throne.

With help from his friends Babkak, Omar, and Kassim characters expanded from the film’s cut song “Babkak, Omar, Kassim, Aladdin” Aladdin outwits Jafar, frees the Genie, and wins Jasmine’s hand, proving nobility lies within. The story’s blend of adventure and heart, crowned by a magic carpet ride, unfolds with a vibrancy that leaps off the stage.

A Musical Treasure Trove

Alan Menken’s score is the beating heart of Aladdin, weaving the film’s classics “Arabian Nights,” “One Jump Ahead,” “Friend Like Me,” and the Oscar-winning “A Whole New World” with new additions like “High Adventure” and “These Palace Walls.” Ashman’s original lyrics, Rice’s polished contributions, and Beguelin’s fresh verses create a tapestry of sound that’s both nostalgic and novel. The West End production’s 15-piece orchestra brought these tunes to life with a richness that filled the Prince Edward Theatre.

“Friend Like Me” dazzles with its big-band energy and Genie’s showstopping antics, while “A Whole New World” soars as Aladdin and Jasmine take flight, the carpet’s mechanics a marvel of stagecraft. The score’s exuberance, paired with Nicholaw’s dynamic choreography, made every number a visual and auditory feast.

The West End Run

Aladdin opened with Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin, Jade Ewen as Jasmine, and Trevor Dion Nicholas who originated the Genie on Broadway making his London debut. Don Gallagher’s Jafar, Peter Howe’s Iago, and Irvine Iqbal’s Sultan rounded out a cast that brought Agrabah to vivid life, supported by Nathan Amzi, Rachid Sabitri, and Stephen Rahman-Hughes as the trio of friends. The production’s 350 costumes, sparkling with over two million Swarovski crystals, and its 30-foot palace gates underscored its grandeur.

Running for over three years, Aladdin played to packed houses, its 2-hour-30-minute runtime (including interval) a whirlwind of magic and mirth. A filmed performance on August 31, 2019, featuring Ainsley Melham, Isabelle McCalla, and a mix of Broadway and West End alumni, preserved its legacy for a planned Disney+ release. Critics hailed it as “sheer Genie-us” (Evening Standard), though its closure made way for Mary Poppins’ return to the Prince Edward.

A Global Legacy

Beyond the West End, Aladdin has soared worldwide Hamburg, Tokyo, Stuttgart, and a UK/Ireland tour launched in 2023 attest to its reach. Over 14 million people have seen it globally, drawn by its universal tale and theatrical wizardry. The show’s “colorblind” casting stirred debate, with some Middle Eastern actors decrying missed opportunities, yet its diverse ensembles have kept it accessible and vibrant.

The West End production earned no Olivier Awards but won hearts with its spectacle 84 illusions, including the Genie’s vanishings and that iconic carpet ride. Its influence echoes in Disney’s ongoing stage ventures, from Frozen to Hercules, proving the House of Mouse’s knack for theatrical alchemy.

Why It Shines

Aladdin’s West End triumph lies in its ability to balance nostalgia with innovation. It honors the 1992 film while expanding its world, offering laughs, gasps, and a timeless love story. The Genie’s larger-than-life presence Nicholas’s WhatsOnStage Award-winning turn a highlight anchors the fun, while Aladdin and Jasmine’s chemistry grounds the heart. For London audiences, it was a rare chance to step into Agrabah, a “whole new world” just steps from Soho.

Its closure in 2019 marked the end of an era, but its magic lingers in memory and on screen. In a district famed for grandeur, Aladdin stood out as a wish granted a dazzling, unmissable adventure that left Theatreland shimmering.