Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Aladdin pantomime with an all-white cast and offensive language branded ‘racist’ and ‘shameful’ amid diversity controversy

Aladdin is set in the made-up Middle Eastern city of Agrabah, on the banks of the river Jordan.

Aladdin pantomime with an all-white cast and offensive language branded ‘racist’ and ‘shameful’ amid diversity controversy

The Liverpool production featuring actor Scott Sutcliffe in the title role as Aladdin, Coronation Street star Connor McIntyre as Abanazar, Kelsey Beth Crossley as Princess Jasmine, and actor Nigel Peever as The Emperor has landed into controversy due to an all-white cast and use of offensive language.

Calling the production “shameful,” actor Irvine Iqbal wrote on Twitter, “ALL white cast in a production of Aladdin where the lyrics are 'Come on down to our oriental town' in the diverse city of Liverpool. This is diverse Britain! #Shameful,” he added.


Mr Iqbal said he would have refused to sing the lyrics, adding that actors should challenge "racial slurs".

Musical theatre actor Benjamin Armstrong, who appeared in the West End show Rumi, tweeted, “I speak about casting authentic actors for Aladdin pantos a fair bit, but this goes beyond that… a white cast singing the line: 'Welcome down to our oriental town’. This is 100% utter racism. I am disgusted. There is no excuse for this.”

Aladdin is set in the made-up Middle Eastern city of Agrabah, on the banks of the river Jordan.

The race committee of Equity, the actors’ union, said they were "shocked by a very white-looking cast", adding calls for an "industry-wide panto conference".

The UK Pantomime Association said, "The UK Pantomime Association and Panto Day are champions of pantomime and take seriously the need for innovation and progression in the sector, including the appropriate casting of performers from the global majority, and removal of racist stereotypes which have historically been depicted in pantomimes. We have been made aware of productions of Aladdin that employ racist stereotypes. There is no place for such casting, writing, and directing in the pantomime industry today. The UK Pantomime Association will be holding the first of its annual pantomime symposiums in association with Staffordshire University in February 2023 and can confirm that there will be a panel addressing inclusivity, diversity, and representation."

Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.

More For You

Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap returns with crime drama Nishaanchi

Instagram Screengrab/ amazonmgmstudiosin

Anurag Kashyap’s 'Nishaanchi' with Amazon MGM set for 19 September release

Anurag Kashyap is heading back to the big screen with Nishaanchi, a gritty drama that explores love, betrayal, crime, and redemption through the story of two brothers on divergent life paths. The film, which has been in the making since 2016, is set to release in theatres on 19 September 2025.

Nishaanchi is backed by Amazon MGM Studios and produced by Ajay Rai and Ranjan Singh under Jar Pictures, in association with Flip Films. The cast features Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Kumud Mishra, Vedika Pinto, and marks the acting debut of Aaishvary Thackeray. The project, Kashyap says, finally found its footing when Amazon MGM came on board as a passionate partner.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper turn heads on double date with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper turn heads on double date with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon in Manhattan

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper step out with Gigi Hadid and Ines de Ramon for a double date in New York

Brad Pitt and Bradley Cooper stepped out with their girlfriends, Ines de Ramon and Gigi Hadid, for a double date in New York City, adding a splash of glamour to the city’s nightlife. The two Hollywood stars, both known for keeping their private lives fairly low-key, were photographed leaving Cote Korean Steakhouse in Manhattan on the evening of 13 June.

Their partners, both dressed chicly yet effortlessly, walked hand in hand with their famous beaus, making this a rare public outing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Raveena Tandon

Raveena Tandon boards Air India flight days after AI171 crash

Instagram/officialraveenatandon

Raveena Tandon flies Air India to support crew after deadly AI171 crash

Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon flew with Air India just days after the airline’s London-bound AI171 flight crashed in Ahmedabad, claiming 270 lives. Her flight experience, shared through heartfelt Instagram posts, offered a glimpse into the quiet grief and emotional strength of passengers and crew still processing the tragedy.

‘A solemn journey’: Raveena shares moving message from flight

Keep ReadingShow less
Doctor Confesses to Supplying Ketamine Before Matthew Perry's Overdose

Doctor charged in Matthew Perry death admits to illegally supplying ketamine

Getty Images

Doctor admits to illegally supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry before his fatal overdose

A California doctor accused of supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine in the final weeks of his life has agreed to plead guilty to drug distribution charges. Dr Salvador Plasencia, one of five people charged in connection with the Friends star’s fatal overdose, will formally enter his plea in the coming weeks, according to federal authorities.

Perry, who was 54 when he died in October 2023, had long battled addiction. Though he was legally using ketamine to treat depression, prosecutors say Plasencia and others illegally provided him with more doses than prescribed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nicholas Galitzine

Nicholas Galitzine teases his He-Man transformation with a shadowy behind-the-scenes image

Instagram/nicholasgalitzine/Getty Images

Nicholas Galitzine shocks fans with He-Man body reveal as ‘Masters of the Universe’ wraps filming

Nicholas Galitzine has officially finished filming for Masters of the Universe, and to mark the moment, he gave fans a shadowy glimpse of his transformation into the iconic He-Man.

Taking to Instagram, the Red, White & Royal Blue actor shared a silhouetted image of himself in full He-Man gear, writing, “It’s been the role of a lifetime, and I put everything into it.” Though the costume details remain under wraps, the photo hints at the classic battle attire, loincloth, gauntlets, and the legendary Power Sword in hand.

Keep ReadingShow less