Yesterday morning saw the première of a "relaxed performance" of the King Theatre’s 2014/15 panto, Aladdin. The audience was made up pupils from all eleven of the city’s schools that look after children with additional support needs: Prospect Bank, Redhall, Rowanfield, Oaklands, Braidburn, St Crispin’s, Kaimes, Gorgie Mills, Panmure St Ann’s, Woodlands and Pilrig Park.
Relaxed performances are specifically designed to welcome people with a range of additional support needs. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement in the auditorium and some small changes are made to the light, sound and special effects of the show with around half of the auditorium’s lights remaining lit during the show creating a more familiar and open atmosphere.
When the three main actors and stalwarts of the King’s legendary panto, Alan Stewart, Grant Stott and Andy Gray, came out amid the whirling lights of Chinese lettering to make some introductions, they encouraged enthusiastic boos and cheers and high hand clapping from the audience from the get-go.
These masters of their craft of brilliant comic timing, quick fire puns, Scottish jokes and rapid costume changes are heading for the end of what must be a pretty gruelling run that started on 29 November and ends on18 January. Yet they showed no hint of flagging during this generous performance of an extra show added to their already tight schedule – all testament to theirs and the full cast’s professionalism.
Aladdin has already received high praise for the format that works so incredibly well and that seems to become more visually exciting year on year with its bright festival of colours and astonishing special effects. A giant python, a Glaswegian genie, an incredible elephant and magical flying carpets starred alongside the cast of gorgeously costumed dancers and singers with the now ubiquitous human tea cake making a comic appearance in this warm and inclusive event.
While this relaxed performance was a first for the King’s celebrated panto, the Festival and King’s Theatres hosted Scotland’s first relaxed performance with a special show of The Snowman in December 2012.
Two relaxed performances of The Selfish Giant were then hosted in December 2013. This year, every pupil attending an Edinburgh special school has been able to see a relaxed performance of either the delightful Cloud Man or Aladdin. This fantastic event, including tickets, interval ice cream and transport, was made possible by Radio Forth’s charity, Cash for Kids. This could be a new Christmas tradition that’s well worth continuing. Top marks all round!