Synopsis of 'Aladdin Trouble'

'Aladdin Trouble' at the CIS

Colombo International School (CIS) is bringing out a new version of the much-loved fairy tale, 'Aladdin and the wonderful lamp'. The show will go on the boards shortly and will be held in the school auditorium. Much effort has gone into the production of this witty version and is expected to draw a huge crowd.

Set within the context of the 1001 Arabian Nights from which this story originates, this panto-style version of Aladdin contains all the traditional elements and characters, alongside a whole host of less conventional ones!

'Aladdin Trouble' features all of your favourite characters and plenty more besides. Scheherazade , our storyteller, launches us into a tale of good versus evil, a magical lamp, three wishes, witty banter and buffoonery and of course love conquering all .

It is in the Market place we meet the hero of our play, Aladdin , a kind-hearted lad determined to build a new village hall for his community.

Amidst the hustle and bustle we then encounter the wicked Abanazar, whose aim is to find the long-lost Lamp of Unlimited Power , destroy the village completely and replace it with a dazzling resort for the rich and famous.

On the other side of town, we see the frustration of Princess Jasmine, our lovely heroine who just wants to break free , trapped in a life of luxury at the palace.

She relishes an all-too-brief escape into the outside world where she meets Aladdin and they reveal their feelings.

Abanazar attempts to use Aladdin for his own evil purposes. But fate favours Aladdin and he encounters the magical Genie of the Lamp,the dispenser of wishes with a touch of madness ,who along with his assistants ,The Three Wishes , shows Aladdin what the future could hold for him .The devious Abanazar however works out another cunning plan and finally gains the power he has craved !

We are treated to a welcome moment of comic relief with the entrance of Aladdin's mother, the hilarious Widow Twankey and his inseparable brothers Wishy and Washy.

We continue on the roaster-coaster ride , encouraged to cling to a brave hope that all may work out , towards a conclusion with Aladdin, Jasmine and her father, a right royal collector , pursuing Widow Twankey through the streets with Abanazar and his guards hot on their trail.

Thankfully the chase ends satisfactorily with Aladdin being restored to good fortune.


 

Fairy tale version of 'Aladdin and the wonderful lamp'

Once there lived a poor widow and her son, Aladdin. One day, Aladdin's uncle, Mustafa, came to visit them. He said, "Sister, why don't you let Aladdin come and work for me?" They agreed and Mustafa took Aladdin along with him. They walked in the desert and came to a cave. The cave was full of riches and treasures but Mustafa was afraid to go inside.

He wanted Aladdin to go in and get him the treasures instead. "Go inside," commanded Mustafa, "and find me the jewels. You will also find a lamp. Bring it to me."Aladdin went inside and found more riches than he could ever imagine. He found a beautiful ring and wore it on his finger. He also collected as many gems as he could, but before he could come out of the cave, Mustafa said, "Quick! Just hand me all, the jewels and the lamp!" Aladdin refused. Angry at the refusal, his cruel uncle blocked the entrance of the cave and left.Aladdin sat in the dark and cried. Then he saw the old lamp and decided to light it.

While cleaning it, he rubbed the lamp and out came a genie! "Master, I shall grant you three wishes," he said. Aladdin said, "Take me home!" In seconds, Aladdin was with his mother, counting the gems he had brought from the cave. Aladdin also brought the ring along with him and when he rubbed it, out came another genie! "Master, I shall grant you three wishes!" said the genie.

"Make us rich and happy!" said Aladdin. And Aladdin and his mother lived happily.One day, Aladdin saw the sultan's daughter and fell in love with her. He went to the palace with gems and asked for her hand in marriage.

The king agreed to this. After marriage, Aladdin showered the princess with all the riches and gave her a huge palace to live in. When the sultan died, Aladdin ruled the kingdom. He was just and kind hearted and everybody was happy under his rule. Mustafa came to know how Aladdin found the magic lamp and became rich.

He wanted to take the lamp back. So, one day, when Aladdin was away, Mustafa came to the palace dressed as a trader. He cried out, "Get new lamps for old ones! New lamps for old!"

Hearing this, the princess took out the magic lamp and gave it to him. She did not know that the old lamp was indeed magical. She bought a shiny new lamp instead. Mustafa gladly took the lamp and went away.

He then commanded the genie, "Send Aladdin's entire palace into the deserts in Africa!" And saying this, Mustafa, along with the princess in the palace, were sent to Africa. Aladdin, on coming back, found his wife and house missing. He searched for the palace for three long days. Finally, he rubbed his magic ring and asked the genie, "Please take me to my princess!" The genie agreed.

When he met his wife, Aladdin and the princess decided to trick Mustafa.

One night, the princess said to Mustafa, "I don't think Aladdin will ever find me here! I might as well live as your slave for I am certain he is dead now!" Mustafa was very happy and ordered for a feast. During the feast, the princess got Mustafa drunk and he fell into a deep sleep.

The princess took the magic lamp to Aladdin. Together, they asked the genie of the lamp to take the entire palace back to Aladdin's kingdom. The genie then killed Mustafa and Aladdin and the princess lived happily ever after.

- internet