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Aladdin in the Underground
(1935)Book and Lyrics by Rodney Bennett (E)
7 singers,6speakers; chorus (mixed cast or boys only);
strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
| CHILDREN'S VOICES: | |
| WIDOW TWANKEY, who runs a laundry | Sung role |
| ALADDIN, her son | Sung role |
| HOO-ZOO, her very small errand boy | Sung role |
| ALMANAZOR, the villain of the piece, a magician | Sung role |
| A HAWKER, his confederate | Spoken role |
| THE EMPEROR OF CHINA | Spoken role |
| THE PRINCESS, his daughter | Sung role |
| AZRA, her maid | Sung role |
| CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER to the Emperor | Spoken role |
| TWO SPIRITS of the Underground | Sung roles |
| SLAVE OF THE RING | Spoken role |
| SLAVE OF THE LAMP | Spoken role |
| SHEPHERD BOY | Spoken role |
| Laundry Workers, Spirits of the Underground, Slaves, Dancers, The Emperor's retinue, Aladdin's retinue, etc. | chorus |
Peking, China, ancient times
At Widow Twankey's Laundry in Peking, her son Aladdin meets and falls in love with the daughter of the Emperor of China, who has sneaked off from her official duties. Her visit is succeeded by that of the magician Almanazor, who needs Aladdin to help him explore a local cave. Once there, Aladdin enters, protected by a magic ring. Despite it his uncle shuts him in, asking him to pass out to him a lamp he will find there. Aladdin refuses, now aided by the Spirit of the Ring, who brings the Princess to him before returning them to their usual locations. Aladdin has by now lost the ring but kept the lamp, which his mother rubs, with the result that the Slave of the Lamp appears and starts granting wishes, notably the appearance of large piles of precious stones. When Almanazor comes crying 'New lamps for old!' his offer is rejected. At the palace, the Emperor is only too pleased to welcome Aladdin as a son-in-law with such riches at his disposal.
Comic