Peter Pan Review

Sheffield Lyceum – until 6 January 2019

Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne

4****

It’s that time of year again….oh yes it is!!! Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to a pantomime and Sheffield theatres pantomimes have been a huge hit with audience members for decades, and never fail to provide laughs a plenty, audience participation and of course….”a fat bloke in a dress!”

Damian Williams (now in his eleventh year with Sheffield Theatres) is somewhat of a celebrity amongst regular Sheffield theatre goers – each year bringing in the comedy and craziness as he puts on (several) flamboyant dresses to be the panto Dame, his costumes alone (Helga Wood – Set and Costume Designer) are one of the real highlights for me personally. From the “Baby Bubble Bath” bright blue dress as the story opens, adorned with large rubber ducks along the edge, to the sailor dress in Neverland to the grand head piece for the finale, the quirky and over-the-top costumes worn by Mrs. Smee (Damian Williams) certainly has a wardrobe that is far from ordinary!

This years panto is the J. M. Barrie classic “Peter Pan”, which last graced the stage at the Lyceum, Sheffield in 2010, making this it’s fourth production (the first being in 1982, and again in 1991 and 2000) in Sheffield Theatres.

A much loved classic, Peter Pan tells the story of the three Darling children – Wendy (Samantha Dorrance), Michael (a shared role, tonight being played by Alex Marriott) and John (also a shared role, tonight being played by Ben Rossiter) who one evening get whisked away to the magical world of Neverland by a flying boy who never grows up.

The panto opens with the ensemble – Native Americans from Neverland running down the isle and getting the audience participation in full swing with clapping and singing, before disappearing at the arrival of Mrs. Darling (Wendi Peters) – an affluent mother who cares more about organising a party of “One thousand guests – including a few commoners (points to the audience) – like (points to audience member) – do you dress for comfort I see?!” – hurriedly trying to get the children to sleep Mrs Darling reluctantly reads the children the story of Peter Pan, telling them that he IS real and that he is going to visit tonight, but in order for him to do so they must be fast asleep. Soon the children drift off and just like their mother promised, Peter flies into the children’s bedroom.

Peter (David Ribi) tells the Darling children all about Neverland and invites them to join him – encouraging them to “think happy thoughts” to enable them to fly away with him (helped with a little magical fairy dust) and soon the children and in a magical world, with mermaids and an evil Pirate by the name of Captain Hook (Shaun Williamson).

The flying scenes recreate the magic of the original book and various film adaptations beautifully, with the children, Peter and Tinkerbell flying across the streets of London, through space and eventually into Neverland.

Wendi Peters has the rather challenging task of three different roles – Mrs Darling, a Mermaid and Chief Squatting Cow. It’s her role as a mermaid which I particularly laughed out loud at the most, but she is equally comically funny to watch as Squatting Cow – leader of Native American Tribe the “Crazy Horses”.

There’s bundles of slapstick comedy, cheesy jokes and singing and dancing (watch out for the incredible acrobatic team!) along with audience participation a-plenty. Unlike Peter Pan, my inner child lays somewhat dormant which isn’t great when it comes to the likes of pantomimes and slapstick comedy. Although this production was faultless I admit that as much as I tried to love it I personally struggled. Don’t be put off by this however, there’s something for everyone in this production. For me the real highlight was Wendi Peters singing the ballad “Nothings Gonna Harm You” from musical Sweeney Todd, later sung by Ribi as Peter Pan.

Jo Osmond gave a show stealing performance as loveable fairy Tinkerbell. Just like Tinkerbell. Osmond is petite in stature but what Jo lacks in height she makes up for in personality and fiestiness – her Tinkerbell proves that good things really do come in small packages.

Although Hook is usually a character to fear, I found it hard to get that feeling from Shaun Williamson in the role. This has nothing to do with his acting, there’s just something about his face that makes it difficult to find him remotely scary. (And no, I have never watched Eastenders!) Luckily there was enough audience participation to remind me what a wicked character Hook is supposed to be. I would love to see Shaun perform on stage as the good guy – his face after all is such a jolly one – infant I think he would make the perfect Father Christmas!

With the festive period just weeks away, if you want the perfect escape from reruns of Christmas movies, mince pies and left over turkey, then this is the ideal family escape – get wrapped up warm and head into Sheffield for a traditional Christmas pantomime.