Written by and starring panto legend Jon Monie, the script for this year’s pantomime at the Theatre Royal fizzles with wonderful wordplay and enough innuendo to keep the adults entertained.
Photo © Stewart McPherson
It is a highly technical show, which no doubt will smooth out, regardless, it does has something for everyone.
Monie leads the pack as the comic Smee, his instant rapport is second to none, and who doesn’t love the bench sketch?
Mixing the timelines, the plot allows us to fly to Neverland with Emily Darling (Bobby Chambers), the younger relative of the original Wendy.
Hook has managed to get back to land and is ready to take over Neverland. Peter Pan (Marcus J Foreman) is an irritating boy who seems to think he knows everything, but with Emily’s help, all is resolved.
Photo © Stewart McPherson
The camaraderie in the cast is clear; the nitwits pirate crew (Mark Nixon, Jack Robbins and Sammi Roddi Morgan) ensure great acrobatics and sharp comic timing.
Sarah Jane Buckley has many opportunities to showcase her vocal talents and comedy in the roles of Mrs. Darling and Ethel Mermaid.
Photo © Stewart McPherson
Tristan Gemmill is a fine baddie as Hook, making great use of his numbers, including a reworking of “I’ll Be Back” from the eponymous Hamilton.
Holly Atterton is a sparkling, energetic, roller-skating Tinkerbell alongside the Baby Belles from the Dorothy Colebourne School of Dance, who are exceptional.
Photo © Stewart McPherson
The ensemble are hardly offstage; Issie Davis, Robbie Fell, Elizabeth Lundy, Charley Vincent and Yvie Woods ensure their energy levels never falter despite an intensely busy show for all.
This pantomime has everything, including a fine band and enough references to TikTok, iPhone vocabulary and current trends to cater for all ages.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
