Peter Pan

Penguin Acting & Theatre Productions brought the magic of Neverland to life with their production of Peter Pan, The Pantomime, marking a first visit to this company and proving to be a most enjoyable introduction. From the outset, a warm welcome was extended, and it was heartening to see a full and supportive audience, clearly invested in championing a company that works hard to make theatre classes accessible to local people.

The Darling children were well portrayed, with Catie Wherett bringing warmth and sincerity to Wendy, ably supported by Abigail Docherty as John and Sam Murphy as Michael. Together they created a believable sibling dynamic and responded well to the fast-paced demands of pantomime. As their parents, Eliza Walker as Mrs Darling and Harry Walker as Mr Darling provided clear characterisation and structure to the opening scenes.

At the heart of the production was Alex Greaves in the title role of Peter Pan. Greaves demonstrated excellent stage presence and confidence, leading the action with energy and a strong command of the stage. A clear focal point throughout, this was a performance that showed assurance and growing maturity.

Following their leader were the Lost Boys, each contributing distinct character traits. Jack Hutchinson (Nibs), Lottie Smith-Wilks (Slightly) and Mia Newby (Tootles) worked well as an ensemble, while the Twins were cleverly shared between the alternate Tinkerbells and Wendys, ensuring strong stage coverage and inclusion.

The villain of the piece, Captain Hook, was portrayed by the only adult in the cast, Chris Boydell. Boydell struck an effective balance between menace and mischief, clearly relishing the role. He was well supported by his band of pirates: Frederic Grooby as Line, Xander Montgomery as Sinker and Jake Matthews as Starkey, who added humour and physicality to their scenes.

Initially hostile to Peter Pan and the Lost Boys were the Native characters, led by Eva White as Tiger Lily. She was joined by Amber Noonan (Limping Bear), Emilia Cooper (Raging Axe) and Skylah Johnson (Peking Duck), all of whom brought strong commitment and clear characterisation, contributing effectively to the storytelling.

A standout performance came from Mia Bilton as Tinkerbell, who impressed greatly with her expressive acting skills. Despite the character’s limited dialogue, Bilton conveyed a wide range of emotions through varied vocal tones, physicality and well-judged facial expressions. Her portrayal clearly showcased her strengths as an actress and added depth and charm to the role, making Tinkerbell a memorable presence throughout.

Numerous other supporting roles ensured the stage was always lively, with all cast members playing their part in creating an enjoyable and inclusive production. While there were a few minor sound issues during the performance, these did not detract from the overall enjoyment or the enthusiasm evident on stage.

It was particularly pleasing to hear that Penguin Acting & Theatre Productions have secured their own premises, allowing them to continue supporting and nurturing young people in the arts. There is clearly a great deal of potential within this company, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Congratulations go to Director Lou Hardy and the entire team on a lively and encouraging production that showcased commitment, community spirit and a genuine love of theatre.

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