Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 28th October 2023
Reviewed by Emma Barnes
5*****
Even before the curtain came up it was obvious that ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong‘ was not going to be your average theatre experience. As the audience took their seats characters raced and chased around the auditorium and excited anticipation filled the room. Anyone who had attended Mischief’s ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ I’m sure was eagerly expecting the guaranteed mayhem.
We certainly were not disappointed. The story revolves around the accident-prone Cornley Youth Theatre, attempting to stage a well-known children’s classic, Peter Pan. However, expect everything that can possibly go wrong, to go horribly off the rails! The set is a rickety mess, the props are malfunctioning, and the cast is clearly out of their depth.
But somehow, they manage to keep the show going, even as things spiral further and further out of control.
There are too many laugh-out-loud moments to mention, but some of the highlights that had my two children (and their grown ups) rolling in our seats included Nana the dog getting stuck in the door, the Darling children’s bed collapsing with them in it, Peter Pan’s attempts at flying, Captain Hook arguing with the audience and Tinkerbell the fairy being electrocuted by her own costume.
One of the best things about Peter Pan Goes Wrong is that it’s a show that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, there was something for everyone whether it be classic comedy , slapstick silliness or to marvel at the flawlessly executed theatrical timing. There are several moments where the audience is genuinely unsure whether what they are seeing is planned or not and the dialogue with the audience at times felt improvised bringing a real feeling of intimacy.
The production is also visually stunning. The set is incredibly detailed and revolves from scene to scene at furious pace in the second half. Mischievous lighting cues, and a meticulously timed albeit unfortunate soundtrack all contributed to the overall experience. Every prop malfunction, every missed cue, and every perfectly timed blunder came together to create wonderful chaos and an evening of cheek aching hilarity.
The fearless and talented cast truly captured the spirit of live theatre, reminding us all that even amidst the mishaps and blunders, the show must go on. If you enjoy a production that has you laughing from start to finish and every family member on the edge of their seats then this is not to be missed.