Peter Pan

As always with this Company there was a buzz of excitement in the Hall before the Pantomime starts, and this was no exception.  They have the services of a talented Technical Producer who creates the opening film sequences giving all the credits, the projections for announcing the scenes and some locations, and this time the amazing flight to Neverland for Wendy, John, Michael and Nana.

Once again, the sets had been well designed constructed and painted from the opening in the Darling Nursery with the bed and large windows, to the various locations in Neverland, on board ship and the lagoon.  The set dressing, furniture and props were all well-made or sourced and complemented the production; the smoking toadstool looked good.  The lighting had been well designed and operated.  The music was from a backing track but was well controlled and the balance between music and voices was mostly well balanced.  Most of those using mics used them well, but some less experienced performers would benefit from extra training.  The young lady playing Peter Pan realised there was a slight problem with her microphone and handled it in a mature way.  The costumes fitted well, were colourful and suited the characters, particularly those for Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, Myrtle and the Mermaids, Peter’s ears and of course the outrageous Dame, and combined with hairstyles wigs and makeup created lovely visual effects. 

The choice of music was interesting and sung enthusiastically by the cast.  There were some lovely solos, group songs, duets and ensemble singing.  The choreography suited the characters and the abilities of the cast, and was confidently executed, with the tinsel decorated sticks well handled in the Rain Dance.

It was a well written script from Tracy Rogers, who had amended it for this Company to include the more Hill Billy Neverlanders, instead of Indians.  It had a good combination of silly jokes and audience participation.  The opening of this show does not lend itself to an energetic number, but this one had Wendy telling her brothers a story about Pirates, who then became part of their dreams and sang a lively Pirate song.  I liked the way that Peter’s shadow was actually a small person dressed completely in black, who synchronized all their movements with Peter’s.  The appearances of the shadow and Tinkerbell on stage were well done, as was the effect of everyone ‘flying’ from the open window.

This show has characters of a variety of ages, and so younger performers were given the opportunity to prove themselves in slightly more demanding roles than they would normally have, and they did not disappoint.  Everyone looked as if they were enjoying themselves, were mostly confident with their lines, there were a few minor blips, which the audience were half expecting, and were humorous.  There were occasions when some of the actors appeared to have a dip in their concentration, and although they were saying their lines lacked conviction.  Peter Pan was confidently played as the leader of the Lost Boys, with good stage presence, she interacted well with the other characters with clear diction and nice singing.  Young Tinkerbell was well played as a mischievous imp, who was very jealous of Wendy usurping her position with Peter.  Big sister Wendy is a lovely role and has the audience on her side from the beginning.  The role was confidently played she was every inch the ‘big sister’ and interacted with the other characters and sang well.  John and Michael were typical young boys always wanting adventure and exciting stories.  Nana, the nursemaid, was played in typical outrageous Dame mode, ad libbing ‘her’ way through, be careful not to throw the other actors by going OTT.  The young person who played Mrs Darling and Myrtle the Mermaid, handled both roles well and showed a contrast of character, with nice singing as Myrtle.  Captain James Hook, the villain, gave a strong performance, with good delivery, but I felt he could perhaps have been even more villainous, as the audience kept forgetting they were supposed to boo at him.  Sailor Smee was larger than life and Starkey complemented him well.  The comedy duo of Line and Sinker worked well together and brought much humour.  Chief Old Spot was a gentle giant under the thumb of his wife Nagging Battle Axe, they worked well together and were lovely characters, and had an amusing duet.  Their daughter, Tiger Lily, was confidently played and delighted the audience with her singing.  Her sisters Foxglove and Nightshade, performed well, with a bit of attitude which was good.  Lost boys Tootles, Nibs, Slightly and Curly all looked as though they were enjoying themselves and worked well together as a group. The young chorus supported and reacted well to the action, knew where they should be on stage and performed everything asked of them. 

Directors Jacky Stewart and Craig Hunt, had had some good ideas, making the inhabitants of the Island Neverlanders worked well.  The length of the show was a bit long, although the length of the songs was well controlled, perhaps fewer might have cut the length, and there were occasions when the pace and energy levels dipped, and did not keep the attention of younger members of the audience. 

It is always a joy to see how the young people are nurtured and encouraged to develop their stage craft, and to watch them grow.  It was a colourful, fun packed show which the audience enjoyed.  Well done everyone.

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