St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden, London – until 15th July 2023
Reviewed by Mitzi Luck
4****
Slapstick Picnic brings an explosion of energy and silliness to the classic tale of Peter Pan. The story will feel both comfortingly familiar as well as fresh to a well-versed audience and exciting and spectacular to the younger audience members. The production maintains some of the traditional elements while pushing them further into humour that is sure to make the audience laugh. The cast brilliantly swerve into the bizarre to help create the story’s personality on stage – a pet for a nanny and a fairy that speaks in font names make the show feel jovial and playful.
The cast itself consists of just three actors that share out the characters, which adds to the fun and the challenge of portraying the story. Peter Pan, played by William Ross-Fawcett, is a opportunely mischievous character that doesn’t shy away from bringing to life the regrettable characteristics of a boy who never wants to grow up. Lucy Green brings a wonderful array of characters to the stage, from an adorable ‘Nana’, the nanny in dog form, to Wendy, a strikingly confident lead character, to Captain Hook himself, a version both theatrical and wimpy. Charlotte Driessler shows a brilliant contrast by bringing to life a motorbike helmet wearing Tinkerbell, as well as the hapless and sweet ‘Lost Boy’ Tootles. The characters are made so well rounded by the cast, with quick hat changes signifying each character.
The movement across the stage, directed by Jennifer Fletcher, is transporting – the dances are hilariously well-choreographed and the cast look like they’re having a great time on stage. The show moves like clockwork, and the pacing is well matched to the audience of all ages.
The set, designed by Ella Barraclough and Studio Polpo, works seamlessly with the show as the outside garden venue is reminiscent of fairy lore and magical tales. The cast even time themselves beautifully with the church clock chimes at the strike of eight o’clock. The set uses textiles to create the idea of a homely nursery to the wilds of never land. The gingham fabrics conjures up this impression well, even down to a gingham tiered cake.
I highly recommend making a visit to a Slapstick Picnic show – they weave the narrative with both humour and transportive storytelling that makes for a wonderfully enthralling show.