.: Aladdin Top Related Articles
1). The story of Aladdin
The story of Aladdin is an old Arabic story, with unknown origins. Its first appearance in print was in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights – a compendium of Arabic, Persian and Indian myths and legends, and the same book that gave us Ali Baba and Sinbad. The name ‘Aladdin’ is actually ‘Ala ad-Din’, and the story probably came from Syria.
The version of Aladdin that was written down in 1709 is largely the one that we know today, although there are a few key differences.
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2). Aladdin and the lamp
The version of Aladdin that you’re doubtless most familiar with is Disney’s 1992 film adaptation. The film turns the story into a musical, and also makes all sorts of subtle and not-so-subtle changes from the original tale.
The start of the film is preserved pretty much intact: a sorcerer (now named Jafar) sends Aladdin to a cave to retrieve a magic lamp, without telling him that the cave is cursed.
Article tags: aladdin, lamp, myths
3). Aladdin – music to remember
While the plot of Disney’s Aladdin is perfectly competent, and Robin Williams does a star turn as the genie, it is the film’s songs that make it truly memorable, to the point where Disney has been able to produce successful stage musicals in the same way as it has for the Lion King.
The song everyone remembers, of course, is A Whole New World. It won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy, not to mention finally knocking ‘I Will Always Love You’ off the top of the chart – not bad for a sentimental song from a kids’ film.
Article tags: aladdin, lamp, myths
4). Aladdin – In Pantomime
Beyond the original tale and the Disney film, Aladdin is a popular story in its own right, and was long before Disney commercialised it.
Probably the biggest appreciators of Aladdin are those in the pantomime tradition, where it is one of the most popular stories to perform. Pantomimes are fun, exaggerated kinds of plays, with the emphasis very much on family entertainment and audience participation.
Article tags: aladdin, lamp, myths