Genie steals the lamplight in the astonishing Disney’s Aladdin musical at Adelaide’s Festival Theatre

The Genie is not just out of the bottle — he hits it right out of the ballpark with non-stop, magical razzle-dazzle in the utter enchantment that is Disney’s Aladdin.

The Genie is not just out of the bottle — he hits it right out of the ballpark with non-stop, magical razzle-dazzle in the utter enchantment that is Disney’s Aladdin.

Much more than an animated adventure brought to life on stage, this is not merely some Mickey Mouse effort but has all the hallmarks of classic musical theatre.

Gareth Jacobs, centre, as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. Picture: AAP/MIKE BURTON

The songs are A-grade, the extraordinarily elaborate dance routines will leave you breathless with excitement and the production values are … well, let’s just say you’ll believe that a carpet can fly.

There’s as much to delight adult audiences as there is for children who continue to discover the tale through Disney’s 1992 cartoon classic, and the timing of this Adelaide season is impeccable with the live-action remake of Aladdin due to hit cinemas next month.

Just as the late Robin Williams stole the show as the voice of the animated Genie, so Gareth Jacobs puts his own over-the-top spin on the man in the lamp, breaking the fourth wall to share asides with the audience and absolutely owning the stage.

Gareth Jacobs, centre, as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. Picture: AAP/MIKE BURTON

Part Cab Calloway, with a dash of Christina Aguilera and a splash of Oprah, this Genie’s rendition of Friend Like Me changes musical shape so often it’s like a mash-up competition.

On opening night, it got a spontaneous standing ovation in the middle of the number.

Set in a golden treasure cave that’s simply mesmerising, Jacobs’ Genie routine goes from pantomime pastiche to a parody of Dancing with the Stars/Scimitars, as dancing girls seem to appear out of nowhere on his command.

Aladdin’s colour palette, set design, costumes and choreography are sumptuous from the outset, as Arabian Nights sets the mood with twilight skies that shift from deep blue through purple, pink and orange.

Disney’s Aladdin is playing at the Festival Theatre. Picture: Disney Theatrical Productions.

The residents of Agrabah are attired in a rainbow of hues, with enough bared belly dancer and swordsman abdomens to provide eye-candy for all tastes as they tumble, leap and twirl like whirling dervishes.

As Aladdin, Graeme Isaako has just the right mix of boyish charm and cheeky mischief — plus a powerful music theatre voice that soars in Proud of Your Boy.

Shubshri Kandiah embodies the feisty new breed of Disney Princess as Jasmine, who gives as good as she gets and refuses to play second fiddle to any suitor.

Disney's Aladdin starring Graeme Isaako as Aladdin and Shubshri Kandiah as Jasmine. Picture: James Green

Her duet with Isaako on the show’s signature tune A Whole New World is as uplifting as the aforementioned magic carpet, which is one of the most astonishing visual effects ever created on stage.

Adam Murphy recalls the great Frank Thring with his heightened villainy as Jafar (cue evil laughter), while Doron Chester does a magnificent job of parroting his evil master as snivelling henchman Iago.

As Aladdin’s three amigos, Rob Mallett, Troy Sussman and Adam Di Martino get plenty of puns and arguably the show’s most rollicking number as they set out for High Adventure with great swordfight sequences set to its Ravel-like marching beat.

Shubshri Kandiah, left, as Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin. Picture: AAP/MIKE BURTON

If that’s not enough, there are also rooftop chases, golden fireworks, sweeping sand dunes and showers of streamers.

This is Disney’s first musical theatre production to reach the Adelaide stage — let’s hope there are more shows from its Aladdin’s Cave of treasures to follow.

Disney’s Aladdin

Festival Theatre, Adelaide

April 6 to June 9