Cornwall

I&#8217;ve said it before it but it really is a lot of fun when a classic is given a cheeky local and festive glow up or two. Muddy reports from press night with an Aladdin Review.



In a fresh 21st century Cornish take, Hall for Cornwall&#8217;s Aladdin by Cornwall-based&nbsp;Richard Healey and&nbsp;Edward Rowe, also features&nbsp;Dawn&nbsp;French&nbsp;as the&nbsp;Voice of the Genie. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13681.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg" alt="Edward Rowe as Widow Twerkey in Hall for Cornwall's 2025 Panto Aladdin" class="wp-image-39465" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13681.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13681.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13681.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13681.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Edward Rowe as Widow Twerkey in Hall for Cornwall&#8217;s 2025 panto Aladdin</figcaption></figure>



Directed by all round-pantomime expert Nick Evans and produced by Helen Tiplady, this is Aladdin but not quite as you might remember the story.



As ever Cornish talent Edward Rowe is the main delight. Famous from his film, Bait, and known as the Kernow King, in addition to co-writing the script, Rowe skates on stage left with gusto as the dame, Widow Twerkey. Proprietor of Twerkey&#8217;s Laundry, she is mother to an energetically enthusiastic if unexplained American Aladdin (or Illogan, as he is also referred) played by fresh-faced Alexander Jude, and his pasty-loving brother, now re-branded as Willy Washaway &#8211; last year&#8217;s Hari Co&#8217;Vert, Cornish actor Gareth Cooper. 



Lamenting her lost ability to twerk, and sending off her ring to Pool Market to be flogged to pay the rent, the Cornish scene is set.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="564" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13690.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1000x564.jpg" alt="Aladdin (Alexander Jude) and Jasmine (Jasmine Cole), plus ensemble cast at Hall for Cornwall Truro." class="wp-image-39462" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13690.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1000x564.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13690.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-800x451.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13690.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-768x433.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13690.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aladdin and Jasmine, plus ensemble cast</figcaption></figure>



Sara&nbsp;Markland&nbsp;returns to the Hall for Cornwall stage this time as the villain,&nbsp;Aberzennor (geddit) &#8211; you might remember her as Tinkerbell previously &#8211; the overzealous landlord to whom Twerkey owes her rent.



So, on with the plot. Aladdin gives the ring to Jasmine, played by another newbie, the aptly named Jasmine Cole, with whom he falls in immediate love. Jasmine rubs the ring which springs forth Welsh power-singer Mali Wen Davies, below, as the Spirit of the Ring, who sends the whole merry cast on a quest. Keeping up?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="884" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-884x1000.jpg" alt="Mali Wen Davies as the Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin at Hall for Cornwall" class="wp-image-39464" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-884x1000.jpg 884w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-708x800.jpg 708w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-768x868.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1358x1536.jpg 1358w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13683.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mali Wen Davies as the Spirit of the Ring</figcaption></figure>



With a pink track-suited Widow Twerkey waving a Cornish flag, Willy Washaway taking sartorial travel inspo from Kevin &amp; Perry Go Large, alongside what appeared to be the Von Trapp family singers in their sailor suits, the group constructs and set sail on the Fishy Kipper, with Aberzennor as the skipper, heading for &#8220;the most beautiful place in the world&#8221; to bring Act I to a majestical end. The scene involves all the cast, and with an excellent medley, for me, this was the strongest part of the whole shebang.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="986" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13550b.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-986x1000.jpg" alt="HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO, ENGLAND - December 5th 2025. Final dress rehearsal of Aladdin, photographed by HfC photographer in residence Hugh Hastings." class="wp-image-39466" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13550b.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-986x1000.jpg 986w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13550b.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-789x800.jpg 789w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13550b.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-768x779.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13550b.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 986px) 100vw, 986px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ensemble cast </figcaption></figure>



Movement artist&nbsp;Jevan&nbsp;Howard-Jones&nbsp;takes the lead on choreography. His recent work includes the film adaptation of&nbsp;Wicked, and it showed. Instead of using lavish sets, the production told much of its story through digital graphics and Howard-Jones’ excellent choreography set to well-chosen music. The costumes, some created in partnership with Falmouth University, were also fabulous, especially Widow Twerkey’s.



Musically, co-writer Richard Healey was in charge as Musical Director and his wealth of experience in musical theatre showed. Think a feel good mix of old and new songs, from Abba and Pet Shop Boys through to Chappell Roan, some of which were medleys, there was something every member of the audience could recognise and sing along to. Some also took on new words and meanings, like ROSÉ &amp; Bruno Mars&#8217; APT, which became Car.Pe.T, and so on. I won&#8217;t ruin the surprise any further!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="655" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13685.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1000x655.jpg" alt="Hall for Cornwall's 2025 Panto Aladdin" class="wp-image-39463" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13685.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-1000x655.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13685.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-800x524.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13685.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25-768x503.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/12/Aladdin-Hall-for-Cornwall-Truro-Muddy-Stilettos-13685.-HFC-Images_Hugh-Hastings_05.12.25.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aladdin Review Hall for Cornwall</figcaption></figure>



Act II saw the cast in the cave that Aladdin inexplicably had to open using an iPhone (I would say rivalling Nobody Wants This for product placement, except I really don&#8217;t think it was) and lots of rubbing. I think he and Jasmine are trying to find the lamp, and then get home, but it was hard to tell. Anyway, you&#8217;re not there for the plot, are you, at times somewhat shoehorned in around all the usual panto bits. What you&#8217;re there for are the chances to boo (many), join in with some dubious local songs, and laugh along (a lot) &#8211; just avert your eyes from some of the more adult humour that will hopefully go right over your kids heads. 



As always, my son&#8217;s favourite part was the annual joyful and thoroughly Cornish massacre of a new version of the&nbsp;12 Days of Christmas. The presence of a lot of physical puns, five saffron buns and the two super soakers used with aplomb on the audience were extremely funny. You&#8217;ll also shout &#8216;oi oi oi&#8217; and &#8216;yeah you&#8217; too many times to count.



All in all, one of the best panto performances we&#8217;ve seen in a while. We were all roaring with laughter all the way through. We also loved the special themed cocktails and mocktails available in the HfC bar before the show and in the interval. 



Bonus, Hall for Cornwall is right in the centre of Truro, so you can then nip out for a meal afterwards. Both <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/truro-coinage-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PizzaExpress</a> and <a href="https://www.herdburger.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herd</a> are nearby, perfect to make it a lovely and festive night out all round. Perhaps you won&#8217;t need to take the A30 home, but if you do, you might find yourself laughing once again when you see the signs. I&#8217;ll say no more!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-d058d52b-bad8-49e5-ae43-f5fefe0d6679">THE MUDDY VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



Proper Job, Kernow Town! Fun, fast-paced and showcasing the best of Cornish talent. We loved it, my kids loved it, and the entire two hours kept us thoroughly entertained. It wouldn&#8217;t be a Cornish Christmas without Edward Rowe, who was, as usual fantastic. Everyone, right down to the tiniest French pastry chef sung and danced their hearts out, and seemed to be having a great time. When even the two leads have to pause because they are laughing so hard, you know you&#8217;re watching something good.



Good for: Everyone and their grandma, including and particularly families after a hit of feel-good festive laughter. Best for slightly older children &#8211; I would say if they are old enough to find any amusement in counting 6, 7, this is the panto for them.



Not for:&nbsp;Booo! If you’re not a fan of musicals, or panto, this isn’t going to be your thing, but I suspect you knew that anyway! This isn’t a festive performance designed for little kids. Although nothing in it is troubling, and the humour will mostly go over their heads, I noticed the tiniest children in the rows beside us growing bored, especially since there was less visual humour and no animal characters.



Aladdin is at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/aladdin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hall for Cornwall</a>&nbsp;until&nbsp;3 Jan 2026



Hall for Cornwall, Back Quay, Truro TR1 2LL



Photographs by HfC photographer in residence Hugh Hastings.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/mark-hanretty-ice-skater-beginner-skating-tips-skate-by-the-sea-watergate-bay/">Muddy Meets: Mark Hanretty, Pro Ice Skater</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/where-to-see-santa-father-christmas-cornwall/">Where to see Santa in Cornwall 2025</a></li>



<li><a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/where-to-see-xmas-lights-cornwall/">Winter light trails and Christmas lights in&nbsp;Cornwall and beyond</a></li>
</ul>

First Look: Aladdin, Christmas Panto at Hall for Cornwall, Truro

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