Bristol Old Vic’s Christmas Show for 2005/6 will be Philip Pullman’s Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp. This is the first time Pullman's version of Aladdin will have been adapted for the stage.  It will run from 2 December 2005 to 28 January 2006. 

The award-winning author of the His Dark Materials trilogy has turned his story-telling gifts to one of the most famous of the Arabian Nights Tales, masterfully re-telling the tale of Aladdin with wit and panache.

Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp tells the rags to riches story of a boy who becomes a man. Through his bewitching adventure, Aladdin finds untold wealth, a beautiful princess and the strength to defeat an evil sorcerer. Full of fun, mystery and magic, this brand new production will bring the classic story of Aladdin to life in a new, spellbinding way.

Philip Pullman has published over 20 children’s books. His most well known work, His Dark Materials, has sold 7million copies in 38 languages and won The Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children’s Book Award and the Whitbread Book of The Year Award (the first children’s book to do so). The sell-out stage adaptation at the National Theatre took audiences and critics by storm in 2003/4.  His short story The Firework Maker’s Daughter was also produced as a hugely successful stage play at the Sheffield Crucible/Lyric Hammersmith in 2003/4.

Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp will be directed by Aletta Collins who previously worked as associate director on His Dark Materials (National Theatre). She has also choreographed the West End hit musicals Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyceum Theatre), Dr Dolittle and the National Theatre production Honk!, winner of the Laurence Oliver Award 2000 for Best New Musical.

Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp will be adapted for the stage by Simon Reade. His Bristol Old Vic adaptations include Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful and the 2004 Christmas hit, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. His other adaptations include Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children and Ted Hughes’ Tales From Ovid, both for the RSC.

Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp will be suitable for anyone age 7 and over. Booking opens on Mon 11 April, with tickets ranging from £5-£20. A wide range of discounts and concessions will also be available including half-price previews and family tickets starting at just £16. Audio described and sign language interpreted performances have also been arranged.

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