Denton a village in South Norfolk, England

Denton Variety Club – 2026

"Aladdin"

Performed of the 19th,20th and 21st February.

This year, the Huttons produced the script, well matched to DVC abilities combining local references with traditional panto themes. As usual the cast also contributed and it all worked very well.

The Poster, Programme, Review, and some Photographs appear below.

The Poster

This year's poster -
XB

The Programme

This year's programme -

The Review

by Oldstager

As the notes in the programme informed me, this presentation of a favourite pantomime was re-imagined, written and directed by husband and wife team Chris and Caroline Hutton.
They did a good job; it was an evening of clear story-telling presented by Denton Variety Club with their usual vigour, bright colours of sets and costumes, clear lighting, special effects, and a collection of music which celebrated some of the great hits of last century, albeit with fresh lyrics to further the progress of the story.

One player deserves especial mention, Beth Barrett, because she accepted the challenge of replacing Caroline Guthrie whose health prevented her from performing the demanding role of the object of Aladdin’s affection, the princess Jasmine.
Beth did this bravely with a necessary script in her hand and we, the audience, appreciated her courage and even “enjoyed” those inevitable moments when she had to refer to the script to ensure she was saying the right lines.

Other players unintentionally gave us added moments of glee when they forgot what they were meant to be saying and had to be rescued by the prompter, or even by the actor standing closest to them, surreptitiously asking something that resembled “Aren’t you supposed to be asking us …………?”.
It all added to the fun. I am informed by one who knows, that several of the worthy band of performers were held back from a lot of rehearsal by the afflictions of winter health matters. That makes their contributions to the success of the show even more laudable.

Details of all contributors to the show can be found within the programme publication (see Above) and my appreciation goes out to all concerned.
In particular I was pleased to see the re-introduction of a “black light” scene; one where objects are lit only by ultra-violet light against a black background and performers in black clothing moving the objects as though floating in space. Entrancing and magical !

I should make mention of a brief prologue scene involving a lad and his mother, and her trouble in encouraging him to stop reading late at night but instead to gain sleep and rest. I suspect this is a universal trouble in most homes that we know but it also brings to light how engrossing it can be seeking knowledge and understanding through reading. Both reading and rest get my vote.

Thank you Denton Variety Club for your entertainment. Well done !

Photographs

To Come.

Return to DVC History Page

Return to DVC Page

Return to Home Page

You are currently within:

Return to top of page