Musical theatre: Exuberant Disney’s Aladdin Jr, staged by The Drama Lab in Cape Town

Fantastic news is the staging of Disney’s Aladdin Jr in Cape Town by The Drama Lab at Table View Primary School from Friday May 9 to Saturday May 17, 2025, at Table View Primary School.  The Drama Lab is a Drama and Musical Theatre training studio which was established in 2016 in Table View and is headed up by theatre maven, Julie Dickson. Aladdin Jr is the junior version of Disney’s stage musical, Aladdin. The junior versions of the Disney musical are shorter than the full musicals and are geared for school learners and are licenced by Music Theatre International (MTI).This production is the annual big production of the Drama Lab and has all the bells and whistles of a Broadway show with beautiful costumes and props and a cast of 48. Choreography is by Julie Dickson’s daughter, Bethany Dickson who is a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award winning actress. Read on for more. Info as supplied:

Disney’s Aladdin Jr bursting with nostalgic, irresistible, sing-able tunes – this show is guaranteed to lift your heart and get it singing  

About Disney’s Aladdin Jr

Aladdin Jr is an award-winning musical based on the beloved 1992 film, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and book by Chad Beguelin, it is the magic tale of a poor street rat Aladdin, who dares to fall in love with a privileged Princess who has a mind of her own. He is led by the devious Jafar into a cave where the Genie of the Lamp changes his life forever. Aladdin’s adventurous spirit and street-wise attitude take him down a road of self-discovery and he finds his purpose and the love of his life. Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie and a host of other characters will see to it that good conquers evil and will delight children and adults alike. This version is adapted by the creators and is devised to be a bit shorter than the original. It is the perfect vehicle for young audiences and performers.

This production is mounted by The Drama Lab, a Drama and Musical Theatre training studio in the heart of Table View (since 2016). Direction and choreography are in the hands of mother and daughter team, Julie Dickson (Drama Lab mentor and founder), and Fleur du Cap Theatre awardee Bethany Dickson. Both are experienced theatre performers and theatre makers. Creating a fresh take on this iconic musical in the Disney cannon of work has been so much fun and a rewarding challenge. 

Vision of the Drama Lab

“As in all Drama Lab productions, we create an optic which is lovingly created using integrated design elements which are pulled through into the bespoke costumes, sets and props. Audiences can expect to see a transformed space with extended staging and a professional lighting and sound rig – which provides a true theatre experience for the audiences. Part of the motivation behind this massive effort is to extend the training for TDL students’ way beyond just the weekly classes and to place this hungry cast of young actors slap-bang into the middle of a real stage, with all the rigour, excitement and hours of work that go into a true theatrical production. Join the 48 strong cast of Drama Lab students as they tell the story of Aladdin.”

If the rehearsals are anything to go by, they will surely raise the roof with their exuberant performances.

Community theatre

Due to the amazing generosity of Table View Primary School, The Drama Lab family has had a home for the rehearsal period and have an airy performance space for this production. The Drama Lab founder Julie Dickson is quietly convinced of the importance of OUR COMMUNITY. Many of us travel into Cape Town, Camps Bay and all over the peninsula to get to theatres. This time, Cape Town must come to US. Table View Primary School’s approach to community building is inspiring and the cast and crew are thankful for the welcoming atmosphere. Thank you for believing in what we do; it is gratefully acknowledged.

Creative team

As our costumes, props and sets are springing to life, the cast of young thespians are witnessing the labour of the hard-working creative team who are collaborating to make them shine. Marna Wright (costumes) and Jacquie Reed (sets) and Tanya Steininger (props) have formed teams to design and realise these essential aspects of the production. Along with essential marketing and exceptional administrative parent group, the collective goal of all involved in this production is to enable the cast of young people to fly.  

Rather like a rallying cry, these 3 values are behind everything we do. 

“Know Your Worth”  

“Find The Light” 

“Protect The Work”  

✳ Featured image: LAMP CAST for Disney’s Aladdin Jr, presented by The Drama Lab in Cape Town, Friday May 9 to Saturday May 17, 2025: Aladdin (David Reed) and best friends (Logan Horn, Lyla Bellwood, Maya Lai Lam and Raphi Tzouvanni). Pics supplied. Sponsored content.