Disney’s hit Broadway and West End musical, Aladdin, lands in Southampton as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour from Thursday 5 to Sunday 29 September 2024.
Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales, including One Thousand and One Nights, this smash-hit musical is brought to theatrical life in a unique and dazzling way.
Experience the timeless story of Disney’s Aladdin, a thrilling production filled with unforgettable magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle, where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.
Aladdin will star Yeukayi Ushe (Disney’s The Lion King, A Strange Loop, Kinky Boots and Motown The Musical) as Genie and introduce Gavin Adams as Aladdin. A recent graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Gavin will be making his professional debut in the title role.
“I grew up watching Aladdin alongside a lot of other Disney movies,” explains Gavin. “Aladdin especially stuck with me because of how relatable it was. so doing the show is such a good opportunity that I just couldn’t say no to.
“I mean, who wouldn’t want to jump at the opportunity of being a Disney Prince?
“I think I was about six or seven years old when I first saw the Disney film and I was completely entranced by the story and the magic of it all. It was just such a cool story, then when I found out that it had been made into a theatre production I listened to the music and I was like ‘I have to be a part of it’.
“It’s my first professional production, let alone my first professional production in a lead role. I didn’t expect to be on stage as much as I am because I’d never actually seen the show before and physically and vocally it’s quite challenging because it’s so intense.
“There’s also a lot of dancing involved and prior to my training at the Royal Academy of Music I’d never done dance before, especially not tap dancing. There’s been a lot for me to learn and I’m still learning. I’m always growing and it’s been a really amazing learning experience for me because there’s so much that I’ve not done before. The team have been so nurturing and I’m very grateful for that.”
Aladdin features the timeless songs from the animated film, as well as new music by Tony®, Olivier®, Grammy® and eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Academy Award® winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony® and three-time Academy Award® winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita, Aida) and six-time Tony® nominee Chad Beguelin (The Prom, The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony® and Olivier® Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).
Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony®-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, seven-time Tony®-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony®-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.
“The audience is in for a show full of laughter, tears and perhaps nostalgia if like me they’ve seen the movie growing up,” continues Gavin. “They’re in for a lot of shiny things, glitz and glamour, and a lot of comedy.
“Basically it’s just a fun night out.”
Tickets for Disney’s Aladdin (Thursday 5 – Sunday 29 September 2024) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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