Peter Pan

Peter Pan, A Musical Pantomime

Written by Tracy Rogers

Original Music by Hugh Saxby

Performed by Bampton Players on 18th February 2026 at The Riverside Hall, Bampton

Directed by Avril Saxby

Musical Director Hugh Saxby

Review: Peter Pan Pantomime

In this year’s production of Peter Pan by Bampton Players, from the moment the curtain rose, the audience was transported to the story of Wendy, John and Michael and their adventure in Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, The Lost Boys, Indians, Mermaids and Captain Hook with his four cutthroat pirates. The script followed closely the traditional story of the Darling children being persuaded to visit Neverland by Peter Pan and the jealously mischievous Tinkerbell who is called ‘stinkerbell’ and ‘glitter pants’ by Hook.  

The staging was colourful, with projected pictures on a television screen front of stage left. As the curtains first open we see the bedroom of the Darling Children with painted and wallpapered walls and double doors to the balcony, set with a chair in which Wendy sits reading to John and Michael who are sat on their bed in pyjamas and dressing gowns. As she reads, the story comes to life and the pirates and lost boys enter from the auditorium, noisily fighting each other on stage as John and Michael join in. Another scene was of a painted forest back drop of trees with a 3D beautifully designed and painted standalone tree. Act Two opened with a painted backdrop of cliffs and the sea with a white rail placed as the rail of the ship. The television screen was used to show a film of Peter, Tink and the Darling children flying to Neverland and the final scene, brought in by stage crew, the eleven foot crocodile with moving jaw. 

Nana, normally a Newfoundland dog, but in this she becomes the Dame who accompanies the children on their magical adventure, on first entering says “I bet you expected a dog.” 

Nana, played by an actor with strong stage presence, naughtily flirts with a chosen audience member throughout and with Mr Smee on stage. The character has numerous brightly coloured costumes and wigs which looked good.

The actor playing Peter Pan captured the character’s spirit and boundless confidence, bringing plenty of charm to the role, dressed in the classic green leggings, shirt, and cap.  Wendy was warm and likeable, grounding the story with heart and her two brothers, John and Michael were portrayed by two young actors with clear diction and boundless confidence. While Tinker Bell, protective of Peter, moodily sparkles in a gorgeous green tulle skirt, wings, and wand. 

The Lost Boys, being Tootles, Nibs, Slightly and Curly portrayed by more mature men, were extremely funny throughout and especially when they became the mermaid chorus along with Myrtle the Mermaid. Myrtle was played by an actor who stepped into this role at the very last minute due to the original actor falling ill and simply relished the costume (even though he kept his black socks on) and the character. This actor also took the role of Sneezing Wolf and with only a few lines still made the audience laugh.  The Indians, led by Big Chief Standing Cow who is brow beaten by his overbearing wife, appropriately named as Nagging Battle Axe worked well together and their costumes were fabulous. Their daughters, Shy Ann and Sioux were very funny as they chased anything in trousers desperate to find a husband. Tiger Lily, played by a lovely actor with a gorgeous voice, sang ‘Not a Boy’ beautifully.  I really liked the scene where they all stood around a fake fire, playing instruments and singing ‘Tribe.’ 

Captain Hook nearly stole the show for me. The role was gender swapped and played by an actor with delicious exaggeration and comic timing, dressed perfectly in black with a huge three-cornered hat. The exchanges with Smee had slapstick humour and classic panto banter. The audience booed Hook with relish. The other pirates were Starkey, Line and Sinker who were very watchable. 

The costumes were vibrant and suited each character. I loved the cut off trousers of the lost boys who had obviously grown out of them. The Indians all looked spectacular and the mermaid, created by sewing mermaid costumes outlines on to a sheet and then held up by the actors, was clever with no quick-change needed. 

All of the musical numbers were written by Hugh Saxby and the company performed them to a backing track of music and vocals already recorded.  I do sometimes miss the use of various well-known songs in a pantomime that the audience may be able to sing along to but Hugh’s compositions are original and always fit the story well.  I liked the sound effects of the water lapping and the ‘Jaws’ music as the crocodile appears. 

This was creatively produced but most importantly, the production embraced the true spirit of pantomime where the goodies win and the baddies lose. It was an enchanting family show that reminded everyone, regardless of age, that you’re never too old to believe in magic and I do believe in fairies!

Lyn Burgoyne – Noda Representative South West District 5 (East and Mid Devon)

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