Abanazar (pantomime)


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.

History

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 so the character is evil but played for laughs.

Some notable actors who have played Abanazar