Just watched a few videos on YouTube of the show. Spoilers ahead so read at your own peril.
I think some form of video would have worked well with this years story. Some kind of visual of Sir Algenon, or some kind of visual that represents Sir Algenon would have worked pretty nicely. The story this year seems... weak. It seems to have a good basis, easily comparable to the Dr Pop Rocket shows, although it seems lacking and rather thin. Despite that I'm happy Towers are continuing on with themed shows, it has improved the modern fireworks shows to no end, and I hope they continue to do this in future years. This years story isn't exactly bad, although could have done with some more explaining.
The dancers on podiums I find pointless to be honest. When you're dealing with a show on this kind of scale a few dancers in one small area just doesn't cut it. The area the audience covers for Towers fireworks is huge. If you're going to bring something like dancers into the mix you either go big or go home. For something like that to please an entire crowd you would need dancers scattered around the whole of Towers Street. Given that it appears these dancers have been put in to break up the 'black spots', that will be entirely lost with anyone stood past the front of the lawns. Honestly I think it's money wasted, even though it will have been a minimal cost.
My technical knowledge of lighting and pyro is non-existent, so I'll just comment based on visuals. The lack of pyro is obvious compared to previous years. It's still good however, and will please your average guest. I do think there were a lack of 'wow' moments with the pyro though. Usually there's one or two things thrown in at the end of a section/song that make the audience go 'wow' in shock. With pyro being stripped more and more each year, I cannot see them being able to get rid of much more in future years. If they do, it may start getting to a point where your average guests start to notice it's no different to a local cheap display nearer home.
Lighting seems a bit over the top. There seemed to be no focus whatsoever on the Towers, which is hugely disappointing since it forms as a beautiful backdrop when lit up for shows. I like the idea of the 'sonic amplifier', although it seems money wasted again honestly. The lasers were used far too much. Lasers can be impressive, don't go mad with having them flash every second right till the end of the show.
One thing I absolutely love about this years show is the finale music created with IMAscore, not just ITHOTMK, but the music prior to that mixed with a different version of Hex's music. I know this will never happen given budgets aren't likely to be pretty next year, but I would love to see a show in future that mainly comprises of custom made music, maybe with IMAscore (they must have some deal running with Merlin by now?). That would truly be a dream come true.
Overall it's a good show. The story is lacking, the lighting and lasers are over the top and pyros are lacking more than ever. But it's an OK show, its still unique enough and will please most guests (that's the Merlin way right? 'It will do'). This is a good basis for Towers to build upon for 2016, I think they're going in the right direction, with themed shows and bringing in different effects, it just needs some polishing and I think more thought needs to go into what effects are necessary, and what aren't.
2013 is still the best modern Towers fireworks in my opinion.