It’s December which can only mean one thing, panto season has officially started and here on the Wirral we are very lucky to have a number of incredible performances to choose from, including Peter Pan at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight.
The Dreamworld Entertainments Ltd have delivered a lively, nostalgic and thoroughly enjoyable festive treat for families this year with a show that ticks every box of a traditional pantomime: plenty of humour, audience interaction, and a brilliantly energetic playlist. With music ranging from K-Pop to Pink Pony Club, it kept children and adults completely captivated. My six-year-old even declared it “the best music ever,” which feels like a rave review in itself.
The panto follows the classic tale many of us know and love. It begins in the Darling’s nursery, where Peter meets Wendy before whisking her and her siblings away to Neverland. There the audience is introduced to the Lost Boys, Smee, Tiger Lily, and the wonderfully wicked Captain Hook. What follows is a colourful adventure as Peter tries to rescue Tiger Lily, dodge Hook’s schemes, and ultimately bring everyone to their happily ever after.
The cast deliver strong performances across the board with Lewis Pryor is a playful and confident Peter Pan who has a great on stage relationship with Darren John Langford, a wonderfully, theatrical Captain Hook the audience loved to hate.
Joining them both is Darcey Blake as a charming Wendy whose volatile relationship with the very spirited Tink, played by Tasha Rowson, had my daughter on the edge of the seat every time they disagreed.
Ellie Clayton shines as Tiger Lily and her singing voice blew the audience away, it’s only a shame her part wasn’t bigger.
Michael Alan Bailey who plays Smee and Michael Chapman the larger-than-life Dame Tootles are comedy gold and brought all the laughs.
A special mention must also go to the younger dancers, who were exceptional. They performed with a level of dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm well beyond their years, and their talent added real sparkle to the production.
Overall, Peter Pan is a fantastic festive outing, funny, heart-warming and packed with energy. The only downside is that it ran a little longer than expected which some younger members of the audience did find difficult, but even so, the cast put on a great performance.
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