Peter Pan

The director had assembled a large cast of more than thirty people, plus a crew of more than twenty.  They had clearly worked well together with much enthusiasm and skill to produce this funny family panto.  The wardrobe mistress plus her team had produced a wonderful array of costumes, I cannot begin to imagine how many.  The mermaids were particularly striking in the most beautiful costumes and so were the dancers in the opening number.  The Dame aka Nana, not a dog this time,  had a number of fetching outfits.  Then, of course, the Lost Boys, the Pirates, the Indians and so on all needed costumes.  It is easy to almost overlook the contribution that the Wardrobe department makes but they are vital to all productions but above all panto which would not be this fabulous experience without their expertise and dedication.  The scenery was well planned so that scene changes seemed to flow as the story continued and clearly the black gang was as well rehearsed as the actors. The beds in the Darlings nursery were very simple, a headboard and a bed made on the floor in front of it.  Perfectly adequate and it enabled the set to be cleared for the next scene in moments.  Flats at the side of the stage extension were quickly moved to help create each scene. Good use was made of the various entrances with the lost boys and pirates entering through the audience with much enthusiasm and completely in character.  The lighting was well thought and at times exciting with flashing lights adding to the atmosphere.  There were a number of songs accompanied well by the two musicians.  Some songs were solos and some were with full company.  The words of these numbers had possibly been written by the author.  I understand much of the panto had been written in house with the permission of the original author.  

Panto is a wonderful introduction to theatre and in this cast there were three six-year-olds.  They were totally at ease on stage.   They knew their words and their moves.  They had been well rehearsed and were an absolute asset to the production.  Well done indeed and not just the young actors, well done to the remainder of the cast and the director for welcoming and preparing them  These young people will remember this panto for the rest of their lives.  It was great fun to see one of the Darling boys played by an adult.  What a great time he must have had.  The scene in the Darling's nursery with Peter Pan looking for his shadow was very cleverly done, the shadow mimicked Peter's movements so well and once Wendy had reattached the shadow it seemed to disappear before our eyes.  Usually, with a panto there is a wedding scene with the principal boy and girl as the happy couple.  There is a sort of love interest here with a rather jealous and grumpy Tinkerbell clearly wanting Peter Pan to herself and resenting Wendy's presence.  But no wedding!  Wendy, John, and Michael just want to go home!

The casting of this panto had been well considered.  The principal boy and girl were the right ages and looked good together, Tinkerbell looked wonderful and had so much attitude, perfect.  Captain Hook looked resplendent in the most gorgeous uniform.  Of course, we must mention the crocodile, somewhat cute perhaps, although it scared Captain Hook, just right for a family panto.   Impossible with a cast this large to name anyone because in doing so inevitably someone else would be missed, suffice to say this was teamwork at its best producing a wonderful panto experience for all ages to enjoy.

Joyce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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