Thrillseekers heading to Blackpool this winter are enjoying festive magic – thanks to an all-star cast performing a family-fun Aladdin show.
Its world-famous Illuminations have extended the season by two extra months through to January – to attract more winter guests – and new figures reveal more people visitors this summer than last year.
A report for Blackpool Council’s Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee showed footfall had soared by 9 per cent in June compared to June 2023 – and a staggering 41 per cent in July and 24 per cent in August.
Now the Daily Express has visited the Lancashire resort to see how they are keeping their visitors pouring in this December, thanks in part to the Pleasure Beach’s hilarious new Christmas panto and its plush new hotel Boulevard.
The resort’s new four-star hotel, ‘Boulevard’ – or simply BLVD – has been voted Luxury Best Hotel 2024 for Northern Europe, and Luxury Lifestyle Hotel 2024 for the UK.
But for a Christmas guests can enjoy a festive package where you can stay and then visit the Pleasure Beach’s own theatre The Globe to see their Aladdin winter show.
Aladdin has star pedigree as it’s directed by West End performer Alexa Robinson while Ian Oswald appears straight from performing alongside stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, in Hollywood musical movie Wicked.
His West End credits include Moulin Rouge, Disney’s Aladdin, and The Last Tango, as well as being part of the UK tours for iconic shows including Chicago, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Boogie Nights.
On screen, he has appeared in The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Crown, before landing the unusual role of body double to King Triton, played by Javier Bardem, in Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
The Daily Express joined the packed audience for last weekend’s show and watched as it left the audience delighted and screaming with festive laughter.
Set in the magical town of Blackpool, Aladdin (played by the excellent Ashley Luke Lloyd) follows the classic story of a young pauper who dreams of a better life.
When he discovers a magical lamp containing a powerful Genie (all singing and dancing Luke Moore), he sets off on an adventure to win the heart of Princess Jasmine (Blackpool’s own Sarah Ward).
However, the evil sorcerer Abanazar (Oswald) and his glamorous wife Fortulicious (played by influencer Charlotte Dawson) have their own plans to steal the new-found fortune.
With the help of his cheeky brother Wishee Washee (Dave Cross), his eccentric mother Widow Twankey (Del Wilden), and the magical Genie and Spirit of the Ring (Emmerdale actress Kelsey-Beth Crossley), Aladdin must stop Abanazar and Fortulicious and save the day.
Will Princess Jasmine fall for Aladdin? Will the evil duo get their wealth? And will Widow Twankey ever do her washing?!
The enjoyable show energises the audience and features plently of theatrical ‘boos’ for heavily pregnant Charlotte Dawson, the daughter of late TV star and comedian Les Dawson.
It will be the 31 year-old’s third child with fiancé Matt Sarsfield as in 2023 she had her son Jude, a brother for her first son Noah, now aged three.
It’s the second time she has performed a panto at The Globe when pregnant. She explained: “The first year I did it, I was pregnant with Jude, but I was only early, I was only in my first trimester, so I didn’t have a bump or anything. Now this year I’m heavily pregnant!
“Pantomimes are a firm staple at Christmas time. There is something so special about stepping into costume and taking the stage to make people laugh, and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Running until Christmas Eve, there are still dozens of shows left and well worth a visit.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach was founded way back in 1896 by A. W. G. Bean and been family-owned and operated ever since – with the current managing director Amanda Thompson OBE actually Bean’s great-granddaughter.
And Amanda is also Aladdin’s executive producer. She said: “Ian’s incredible talent and energy bring yet another unique layer to our show, and audiences are going to love every moment he’s on stage.
“This year’s pantomime is our most spectacular and enchanting yet, full of laughter, glamour, and all the magic that makes pantomime at Pleasure Beach so very special.”
* Aladdin runs on selected dates with a special finale performance on Christmas Eve. Tickets start from £10 per person and can be booked at: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/aladdin/
* For the BLVD hotel deal visit https://www.boulevardhotel.co.uk/theatre-packages/