To many purists, Peter Pan is not a pantomime but, with the simple addition of a few extra words, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan does exactly what it says on the tin – as it were. With a handsome leading man, a villainous “baddie”, a dame and even the traditional “ghost” and “messy kitchen” scenes, Worthing’s festive offering has everything a panto purist could want.
The story begins in Kensington Gardens, where a group of boys meet Peter Pan who offers to tell them the most exciting story ever – his story. Lloyd Daniels, who has previously starrred as Joseph following his X Factor success, is suitably cocky, but still slightly vulnerable, as Peter and is supremely confident when flying across the stage.
His powerful welsh voice fills the auditorium very well and, with a range of songs that goes from One Direction’s History right through to the Rugby World Cup anthem, World In Union, his versatility as a singer is quite breathtaking.
Peter takes us, together with Wendy, John and Michael, to Neverland where we meet Captain Hook, played by stand up comedian Patrick Monahan. In just his second panto, Monahan is not your traditional “baddie”. His rapport with the adults in the audience is very funny rather than scary, although repeatedly referring to the children as smelly, revolting and ugly does get him more than his fair share of “boos” as well.
Hook’s “right hand man”, Smee, is played by Richard McCourt – better known as Dick from TV’s anarchic duo Dick and Dom. He is instantly popular with the children, many of whom cannot believe that their TV hero is live before their very eyes, and although his jokes have more corn than the Jolly Green Giant, the adults also love him.
Just occasionally, when the story doesn’t necessarily offer up all the roles that are needed, the “panto shoehorn” comes in handy and, in this production, it’s used to make room for Dame Able Mabel (Simon Howe) who is housekeeper to the Darling Family, before she accidentally gets covered in fairy dust and flies of to Neverland as well.
With a troupe of six pantomime dancers, Keeley-May Clarkson, Laura Ashford, Chanai Ankrah, Dean Ambrose, Frazer Beckles and Connor Kelly, the Lost Boys, and junior dancers from the Glendale Theatre Arts School, together with all the lead actors, the stage looks nice and full and, in the full company numbers, the tight choreography works perfectly.
As Tickerbell is created electronically for this production, Tiger Lily is elevated to the lead female role and it is X Factor finalist Amelia Lily who takes on the character. Her strong voice makes easy work of songs like Katy Perry’s 2013 hit Roar and she leads her tribe of “Indian Braves” with confidence.
Overall the production is quite slick, the sets are colourful and practical and the “flying” scenes are all executed with a degree of precision and skill that will only get better and better as the festive run continues.
**** Four Stars