Abanazar is a magician and the primary antagonist in the Aladdin pantomime. He was also the basis for Jafar in the Disney version of Aladdin.[1]

History

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The character first appeared in the harlequinade Aladin in 1788 as 'The African Magician', but was given the name Abanazer in 1813 in Aladdin or The Wonderful Lamp at Covent Garden Opera House in 1813, described as 'A New Melo-Dramatick Romance', and revived in 1826. Other names which have been used for the character are Mourad, Abel el Nesir, Kiradamac, Abanazac and Hocus Pocus. It was with Henry James Byron's Aladdin or the Wonderful Scamp in 1861 that the modern pantomime took form and the character was essentially established. Byron added burlesque (as can be seen by the name parodying the earlier opera) so the character is evil but played for laughs.[2]

Some notable people who have played Abanazer

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References

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  1. ^ "Aladdin - the story behind the panto". www.octagon-theatre.co.uk. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  2. ^ Clinton-Baddeley, V. C. (1963). Some Pantomime Pedigrees. The Society for Theatrical Research. p. 13-14.
  3. ^ "New Strand Theatre". Age and Argus. London. 10 August 1844.
  4. ^ "Theatricals". Age and Argus. London. 10 August 1844.
  5. ^ "Drama, Music &c". Sporting Gazette. London. 30 December 1865.
  6. ^ "Boxing Day Entertainments". The Times. London. 28 December 1885.
  7. ^ "Before the Footlights". The Dart: The Midland Figaro. Birmingham. 28 December 1885.
  8. ^ "Acts, Actors & Actresses". The Sporting Times. London. 22 September 1888.
  9. ^ "Aladdin at the Marlborough". Daily Express. London. 27 December 1904.
  10. ^ "Last night's pantomime at Drury Lane". Daily Mirror. London. 27 December 1909.
  11. ^ Thompson, Alexader (4 February 1920). "Mr. Thompson's Find". Daily Mail. London.
  12. ^ Conway, Harold (24 December 1936). "The Theatre". Daily Mail. London.
  13. ^ "Pantomime Personalities". Daily Mirror. London. 27 December 1937.
  14. ^ "Christmas Entertainments- Pantomime". The Times. London. 24 December 1956.
  15. ^ Thirkell, Arthur (23 December 1978). "Danny, the Lavish and Very Merry Widow". Daily Mirror. London.
  16. ^ "Callow joins the rush to be in panto". Daily Express. London. 26 May 2005.
  17. ^ Cummins, Fiona (16 December 2009). "Aladdin Insane". Daily Mirror. London.
  18. ^ "Aladdin Insane". Brackbell. December 2019.
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