Mullingar Panto"s musical treat

The countdown is on to the opening night of Aladdin, Mullingar Panto"s group"s latest production, which opens from Wednesday, December 10.As opening night approaches, all systems are go for the Mullingar Panto group as they begin putting the finishing touches to their 2008 production.Rehearsals are intense as the group intend to bring the audience one of the best shows ever with an all singing, all dancing and side splitting comedy version of the popular tale.Although Panto is decades old all over the world, the joy of this particular performing medium is that it can be updated and include modern day stories and songs. This production from the Mullingar Panto Group is a complete original with a totally new script and storyline that has never been seen before. It includes some old classic songs as well as some modern masterpieces.The first number in the show is the Village People classic "YMCA", with a few additions to the lyrics to blend in with the surroundings. The next scene sees the evil Jafar put the entire palace under his spell with "I Put a Spell on you", followed by Michael Jackson"s "Thriller".One of Queens favourites follows that, "Fat Bottomed Girls", but this is certainly an original version with an entirely male chorus. The Dolly Parton standard "nine to five" comes then, headed up with a hilarious version of Monty Pythons "Always look on the bright side of life", and another Queen number - "I Want to break Free", which are all set in the jail scene.Jafar then returns with Blondie"s "One way or another, and the act finishes with the Bonnie Tyler power ballad "I need a hero"The second act starts with another Abba number in "Gimme Gimme Gimme" sung in raucous fashion by the dames. In total contrast to that, there is the haunting "Walking In the Air" sung superbly by boy soprano Billy Gilleran.The Genies (Sandra Kelly, Aoife Gavin and Joanna McDonagh) brighten up proceedings with Mariah Careys "All I want for Christmas". The Westlife love ballad "Us against the world" is shared between Aladdin and Jasmine while Aladdin then escapes singing "I Believe I can Fly" and returns with "Don"t stop me Now" - another Queen classic.The final scene is a songfest as firstly the prince"s suitors sing Abba"s "Take a chance on me" before Jasmine"s lament for her love "Chasing Pavements" - a modern masterpiece from Adele. The show finishes on a triumphant note with the toe tapping, hand clapping, booty shaking "You Cant Stop The Beat" from the musical Hairspray, which will have the audience crying out for more.Aladdin runs from Wednesday, December 10 to Saturday, December 20 with matinees on the 13, 14 and 20. There are no shows on December 15 or 16.Tickets are available at the Arts Centre Box Office at 044 9347777 or from reception.