Peter Pan

Grange Musical Theatre Society Youth Ensemble’s panto offering this year was the age old tale of Peter Pan.

Having already postponed their production from December, the company counted their blessings that the performances were all able to proceed in January without any disruption to the theatre’s timetable. As I'd already sampled Grange panto before, I thought that this would be a quality affair with plenty of slapstick and high jinx presented by a youth company with a youth audience in mind - so with this in my mind we armed ourselves with a 5-year old child to see what he thought of it!

This production of Peter Pan had everything you could wish for from earnest family and lost boy alliances to the silliness of the pirate posse.  In the title role of Peter Pan, Emily-Kate Unsworth exuded confidence from the moment she set foot on stage, in total charge of the Lost Boys and showing exactly why Peter was the leader of this gang.

The Darling children Wendy, John and Michael were more than capably played by Nerissa Blatchley, Lily Lloyd and Ruby Johnston. On occasion Wendy and Peter's scenes can be rather awkward but not in this case -  they were lighthearted as and when required - quite moving.

Peter's long time friend and mischievous sprite, Tinkerbell, was wonderfully played by Holly Lloyd - her facial expressions clearly showing how she felt about Peter's fixation with the Wendylady. Holly was exquisite and (without wires or harness) you really felt that she could fly.

Peter's nemesis, Captain Hook was admirably played by Charlie Rogers. Setting up each scene, Charlie made us feel like we were watching a perfectly styled Bond villain giving us a long convoluted plot before watching it unravel before our eyes.

Hook’s generally incompetent Smee and Starkey, were competently played by Alice Payne and Amos Rand, as were the rest of the Pirate Crew, equal in performance to the Lost Boys.

The roles of Tiger Lily,  Mrs Darling and Nana were executed well by Becky McCleery, Katey Murgatroyd and Kate Spibey.

Special mention must go to the dame, Laughing Water, played by Max Burrow. A Dame in Peter Pan? How does that work? Who knows how it works but it just did - especially when the dame is in the hands (or heels) of Max - working well with the lines and the ad-libs, well done.

All of the musical numbers were well drilled, sung and moved, with the music and scenery to match.

One thing I’ll say, in the past, I have, on occasion, had to mention the sound/levels. I am mentioning it again this time- to say how well timed everything was (especially in the slapstick stuff) and to note that the balance was excellent.

This was the first outing for Grace Heap as Director for this talented group of Adults In Waiting, and hopefully not the last. In the years I’ve been there as Rep, Grange Youth really do seem to have directors who invested in their development, and long may it continue

So.... How did this panto fair with the 5-year old? Let's just say he was totally engaged from start to finish - never once proclaiming that he was bored or not enjoying it..... that was until he didn't win the raffle.

In my book, that is a mark of recommendation by any child. Grange completed their task in providing excellent family entertainment, especially so soon after having to cancel, and having to work around a pandemic.

Well Done Grange, thank you for your invite and hospitality

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