"Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" by Ben Crocker (9-12 Dec 2015)

Poster

Director’s Notes
Welcome to St Michael’s Players’ 2015 Christmas Pantomime, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”; our 17th panto and my second as director.  After the success of “Puss In Boots” last year, this year’s show also becomes my follow up album
 
As usual it was a six week roller coaster to bring you “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” which we trust you will enjoy as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.  Personally, I am always in awe of, and humbled by, the care, dedication, commitment, passion and sheer hard work given by every single crew, band and cast member.
 
And then there is you; our lovely, warm and wonderful audience – we wouldn’t and couldn’t do it without all of you too and so we say; “Welcome, once more.  Let the festivities commence!”

What They Said
Just back from first night of Ali Baba and can announce a palpable hit! Pacy, funny, interactive, great songs & singing, superb band, all this and a farting camel, local references and a lovely spirit of festive fun - we, the audience, had a great night out and I feel sorry for the Chiswickians who a ticket have not got." Dino M
"Three happy punters after seeing the first night of Ali Baba - we loved it." Dino M
"Cracking show, just seen it tonight" Scott E
"Loved the panto Guy, we all did, such fun, we came out feeling light and happy - you were excellent, really in it every second, spot on comic acting. I've posted photos on FB, and there's a few extra here. Cheers, well done" Simon W"
"What a fantastic time we had last night at the panto -- we just loved it !!
Well done you two and the whole cast on a wonderfully entertaining evening all done in true panto style . Hope the rest of the run is as big a success as the opening night" Lynn E
"What a great evening, haven't laughed so much in ages. Well done all!" Martin C
"Had a great time!" Ans V
"an excellent evening. Well done!" Karen G
"Terrific show, so much fun, bloody well done" and "Bloody brilliant! Thanks for a terrific evening" Danni P​
"Thanks for a magic panto tonight!" Aaron M
"That was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of it. I was smiling or laughing all the way through. Shame it is sold out otherwise I'd have gone back to see it again.  Enjoy the rest of the run." Jane H
"What a fabulous Christmas Blast , with all the right ingredients great performances lots of witty writing, catchy tunes, sparkling costumes and good props.  SUCH a great evening all round.  Congratulations to all the St Michael's Players , the musicians and the behind scenes helpers" Pennie M
"Excellent show last night ladies & gents. Riotous fun! Thanks" Chris S
"Great actors, great songs. I had an excellent time out." Frederic T
"Cheering on the cast of Ali Baba & the 40 thieves in Chiswickia - in particular our wonderful friend Joanna Harry is a camel, a thief & a French maid oh la la! Funny funny funny!" Suzy L
"Excellent show! Thanks to all involved for an epic Friday night! Well done! Mum Baba was a triumph!" David Y
"Thanks for a brilliant night last night, you were all fantastic. Best panto I've been to, very professional." Gill E
"I loved the panto ! Many congratulations! You should have taken a bow! I had a great time.  Now as long as he doesn't pass wind camel would be very welcome a lift home with me in my car on Christmas eve!" Monica K
"another triumphant show" Ian T
"Bloody loved the matinee guys. Hope you're breaking a leg tonight" Olivia K
"..such a wonderful show. You should be very pleased with yourself, and you've deserved a great rest now! " Simon N
"Thank you for an absolutely amazing afternoon/evening. I would definitely walk 500 miles !!! So much fun !!!" Georgina W
"The pantomime was terrific, great show, brilliant atmosphere. You can clearly see it's got a real place in the hearts of the community" Liz P
"The energy and confidence in the singing were very evident from where we sat, and that’s a testament to strong and sensitive musical direction.  The band drove things along really well (and their keen attention got us out of a couple of SFX holes too), and the string section added a dimension we haven’t heard before and definitely enjoyed!" Andy R (Lighting)
"my friends and daughter loved it - thought it one of the best  -a really good panto atmosphere" Chris L
"Just to say thanks again for such an entertaining evening on Saturday-we all really enjoyed it.One of my friends said she couldn’t remember when she last saw anything so funny and I didn’t want it to end !Hope you all enjoyed it as much and had a good party afterwards." Priscilla
"What a thoroughly enjoyable Panto, once again - no it wasn't, oh YES it was!!  Thanks to a great cast who put so much into it which resulted in lots of fun for all of us. Looking forward to next year already.... Merry Xmas" Mike D
"cracking show guys & girls, really enjoyed, thank you​" Paul F

Programme
programme_ali_baba.pdf
File Size: 185 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Pictures

Cast

Scheherazade (Madeleine Hazard)
Ali Baba (Yolanda Cooper)
Mum Baba (Mervyn Jupe)
Kamil (Jo Harry, Michelle Tomlinson)
Safiya (Danielle Eades)
Cassim (Ramin Farahani)
Sharon (Stella Henney)
Huma (Coral Churchill)
Sheikh Mustafa Leikh (James Mbanefo)
Fab Rick (Paul Smith)
Yessah (Guy Fairbank)
Nossah (Helen Doyle)
Loonah (Cecilia Coleshaw)
Moonah (Pihu Dube)
Noonah (Michelle Tomlinson)
Chorus (Sue Darrieulat, Christine Lee, Dave Lye, Elizabeth Ollier, Kay Porter, Sheila Churchill)

Band

Musical Director, Piano, Violin (Simon Nathan)
Guitar (Andy Murray)
Bass (Ian Trowbridge)
Drums (Martin Scott)

CREW

Director (Chris Hulatt)
Stage Manager (Bryony Wilman)
Choreography  (Stella Henney, Helen Doyle, Sophie Simonds)
Backstage (Adam Richardson)
Lighting And Sound (Andy and Tom Rooney, Alastair Dewar, Marc Pearce)
Make Up (Teena Heer )
Front Of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players)