Peter's Pants

A great revision of the family pantomime, that gave us plenty of audience participation, naughty references, and some good music.

The writer, Lea Pryer, has a great way of bringing a rather ribald view on the way she words things, but not that I feel would cause offence – as although it is an adult panto, and advertised as such, there are still people who could take offence if they did not fully understand the premise if ‘adult’ in the pantomime sense.

The audience got involved from the start, after a very lively opening number regarding Peter’s Pants, which also provided part of the finale too.  Musically everything fitted in nicely, some saucy songs that we all enjoyed, and which weren’t too long, plus a fun audience sing-a-long number, which we all knew, but had slightly different words!

The cast as a whole interacted well with the audience, with the timing of rude comments and heckling being nicely judged.

Costumes were good – they were imaginative without being too over the top.  The Dame’s costumes were great – very colourful and just a little cheeky.  Everyone looked nicely turned out.

Lighting and sound were very well-managed by Paul Horsler, with some lovely effects which enhanced the production.  I liked the entry into Neverland – very good lighting.

Jane Murdoch and Michelle Stanton were a good Mr & Mrs Darling, I liked the lullaby, and their rather wry relationship.

Charlotte Taylor was a charming Wendy – just enough sass to keep her in charge of the boys!  I liked her portrayal, and the expression she put into it.

Darren Adams was a delightfully camp John-Thomas – a really fun character, with loads of innuendo and good delivery.  Darren was well-matched by Emily Rust as Michael ‘Mimi’ – such a different take on the character, with lots of pointed banter between them.  Very well done.

Peter Pan gave Emma Lidford the chance to reprise the role, but with a bit more on the costume front(!), she gave the part a good principal boy slant, whilst delivering some very funny lines.  Great portrayal.

Elise Crosby came up trumps again with the saucy version of Tinkerbell – this young lady has such an expressive face, and kept it going throughout, even when she was on the sidelines and not being featured.  Extremely well accomplished.

Rachel Price reprised her role as Captain Hook – a very accomplished performer, who always steps up to the occasion, and this was no exception.  Rachel sang her song very well too, whilst keeping the ethos of the evil Hook, and certainly knows how to put down the more lively members of the audience.  Great portrayal.

The Dame, Ima Hooker, was played by Richard Chatterley.  I do enjoy Richard’s take on a panto Dame, he plays it more quietly and laid back than some, which is refreshing, but he also gets the essential raucousness of the Dame.  Richard is also very adept at handling the audience!

I find it very strange that such a nice lady as Michelle Scowen can morph into the rather ugly definitely not very nice Smeg, the Dame’s love interest! Michelle pulled out all the stops and really looked the part.

Chris Hopkins and Callum Aird did well as Beavis and Ben – they reacted to each other and the audience well, and as relative newcomers I thought they accomplished good characters.

Connie Wiltshire, Sophie Venn and Emily Venn were very upfront as the Lust Boys, whilst channelling very young personas.  Good additions to the cast, and the action.

Julie Walton completed the cast as Peter’s Shadow and the Crocodile – both of which are essential parts of the plot – nicely done.

A rousing finale concluded a fun production, that gave us much laughter, but was also well-written and delivered by a strong cast.  We had a very enjoyable evening.

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