Peter Pan

Sodbury Players

Peter Pan by Ross Brown and Grant McCotter                                                                         

As seen by: Frankie Telford on January 16th, 2018

Director: James Murden    

Assisted by; Maggie Allsopp and Lucy Cragg         

Choreographers: Tina Minton and Lucy Cragg

Musical Director: Paul Cragg                                                                                                       

Vocal Coach: Kate Webb

The Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury

On the front of the Programme this was billed as ‘A Family Pantomime Adventure’ and that is certainly what it turned out to be.  The safety announcements came courtesy of Pirate Radio Station Smee, and the show started with a request number from Tinkerbell and The Lost Boys and ended with Peter triumphing over Hook.  There was plenty of fun, colour, glitz and glamour, some in unexpected places, all set against excellent backdrops.  There were the usual characters one expects in a story about Peter Pan, with introduction of ‘Madge and Clive’ who decided to join the Pirates.

The sets had been well designed, constructed and painted.  There was a lovely backcloth of a map of Neverland, and we were taken to the children’s nursery, The Lost Boy’s den, two locations on The Jolly Roger, and the Indian camp, all locations had appropriate furniture and set dressing, and a large impressive Crocodile, who chased Hook away.  The wardrobe team had provided excellent costumes for the whole cast, and especially outrageous one for Nana, who in this instance was not a dog; with the make-up team adding their magic to help visually create the characters.

The technical teams had worked hard with the production, they had provided atmospheric well cued lighting, with addition of well controlled follow spots; well-chosen and operated sound effects, with excellent sound balance on the mics.  Peter Pan did not actually fly but the ‘flying’ had been cleverly devised.  There were interesting well-rehearsed dance sequences and I heard every word of ‘Hard Knock Life’. 

There was an interesting choice of songs, which appealed to the age range of the audience.  Paul Cragg and his musicians provide music at an appropriate level so that we could hear the singers.  All the songs had been well taught with good solos, duets and ensemble numbers.

The Pantomime was well cast with some excellent character portrayals,   Wendy, John and Michael made a strong trio with an outstanding performance by a young lady as Michael; Peter Pan was how I imagine Peter and every inch leader of The Lost Boys; Smee was very energetic and worked the audience well; and I really enjoyed the characterisation of Captain Hook as a suave villain, with an unexpected side.

Ross Brown and Grant McCotter had provided a well-written, up to date script with some lovely ideas.  Just a few of the items were Pirate Radio Station Smee, with all the requests and announcements, the introduction of ‘Alexa’ switching the lights on and off and the hilarious ‘Lip Sync Competition’ as the final fight to decide who would take control of The Jolly Roger.  There were many jokes, which the whole audience found funny on different levels.

There were many lovely touches including the excellent sword fight between Peter and Hook.  Director James Murden, had interpreted the script well and had obviously worked hard with everyone, on and offstage to produce a colourful, energetic, well-paced and most of all enjoyable pantomime.  Congratulations everyone a real team effort.

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