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Panto Review: Peter Pan (Birmingham Hippodrome)

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Review by Clancy Haynes


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


My love of theatre started when I went to see pantomimes as a child. Apparently, I even saw Morecambe and Wise once, although I was a babe in arms. The colourful costumes, lively music, and innuendoes that definitely went over my head, mesmerised me, and although I quickly recognised that I did not have the talents required for the stage, I found other ways of being part of that world. Now I’m a primary school teacher, and every year we put on a musical production. Each year we tear our hair out at the lines not learned, dance steps forgotten, cues not met, technology letting us down, and every year we shed tears of pride and joy as the children experience the thrill of being part of a show or watch something on stage for the first time. If you want to introduce a child to the world of theatre, then a pantomime is an excellent choice, and Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the best I have ever seen.



First of all, the production values are amazing. From the minute you walk into the theatre to take your seats, you are made aware that this show is going to look fantastic, with a blue and gold show cloth lit up by revolving stars. Everyone oooooohed and ahhhhhed as they saw it and it certainly added to the happy anticipation you feel before every new show. The set itself is simple, with very little actually on stage. The world of Neverland is created with lavish stage borders, and beautifully painted backdrops and screens. Captain Hook’s ship sliding in to make an occasional appearance, an impressive crocodile, and an even more impressive car, were great set pieces and brought gasps of wonder from the audience. Costumes were among the best I have ever seen on stage, from the ensemble to the Dame. I understand that the sets and costumes are from the London Palladium’s previous shows, but there is absolutely no sense of sloppy seconds here. I left thinking that I would love some sort of post show exhibition somewhere to study them closer.


The story itself is not the one that you know, either from Barrie’s original stories or the Disney film. The characters and the bare bones are there, but Peter and Wendy (who I went in thinking would be the main characters) did not actually have much time on stage. Also, there was a surprisingly small amount of flying, something I also expected to see a lot of. A basic plot involving Captain Hook wanting to get rid of Peter was the hook (haha) on which much silliness and spectacle hung. At one point, Mrs Sylvia Smee, sings, “Whatever happened to the plot?” which was a fun, self aware reference to the fact that it was pretty slight to begin with. Did the audience care? Oh no they didn’t! They were there for spectacle and entertainment, which they got in bucketloads from a fantastic cast who knew exactly what they were there for.

 


Matt Slack as Mr Smee owned the stage. As a veteran of many Hippodrome pantomimes, for much of the audience he is the reason they came. The ease in which he interacts with the cast and audience alike, breaking the fourth wall many, many times in a way that, although probably scripted, felt natural, fun and a little bit naughty. The perfect guide for Neverland! Slack’s highlight’s included a long rambling story, hilariously punctuated by flags from around the world, and a rousing version of The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’, which showcased his talent for impressions. Slack’s interaction with the rest of the cast, in particular Alison Hammond and Danny Mac, were great fun and, again, although probably scripted, felt fresh and real. So real that I did wonder whether he went a little rogue every night, trying to get a corpse out of them. This was particularly evident in a number where four of the main cast have to handle quite a few props, and Danny Mac felt the brunt of Slack’s mischievous nature.

 

Andrew Ryan has been playing Dames for over 30 years and is an incredibly safe pair of hands. As Sylvia Smee, his timing is impeccable and the innuendoes, while quite adult at times, never really felt like they went too far with his pitch perfect delivery. The costume changes came thick and fast, each one more outrageous and fabulous than the last with a stunning white giant clam outfit being my favourite. A particular high point for Ryan was a mash up of ‘I Am What I Am/Born This Way’ which I actually found quite moving. While the song was directed at Tink (a lively performance from Billie-Kay) and her unrequited love for Peter, the camp fabulousness of the costumes and the fierceness of Ryan’s performance suggested a more direct message and I thoroughly appreciated it.


 

Alison Hammond may not come from the world of theatre, but she looked completely at ease (despite being dressed as a mermaid) on stage in a city she clearly loves. Happily dipping in and out of the story, she waved her magic wand and made everything alright in Neverland. Her relationship with Matt Slack came across as genuine, and she looked like she was thoroughly enjoying every moment. Was she a little underused? Probably, but she lit up the stage every time she appeared. Danny Mac’s Captain Hook was a fabulous mix of Jack Sparrow, Charles II and, weirdly, Claudia Winkleman. He was funny and villainous without being too scary for the youngsters in the audience. He, too, looked like he was having the time of his life, particular in an Elvis based number, which showcased his lovely singing voice. Noah Harrison as Peter Pan and Rhiannon Chesterton as Wendy did well with their given stage time, rounding out a talented main cast.

 

In a show packed full of silliness, songs, a tribute to 125 years of the Hippodrome, and a Traitors gag, the cast’s love of each other and the world of pantomime shone through. As I looked at the mesmerised faces of young children, possibly experiencing theatre for the first time, I felt the same spark lit in me many years ago had ignited in a new generation.

 

Peter Pan plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome until February 2nd

 

 

Photos by Paul Coltas

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