Blackpool Winter Gardens – until Sunday 29 October 2023
Reviewed by Debra Skelton
5*****
Peter Pan has soared into Blackpool and can be seen at The Winter Gardens Blackpool until Sunday 29th October 2023.
It is presented by Jon Conway and Steve Sheen, written by Jon and Jordan Conway, and directed by Jon Conway with an ensemble of 50 cast members.
Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up, is a work by J. M. Barrie in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel titled Peter and Wendy.
It tells the story of Peter who visits Bloomsbury and the Darling family house at night where he hears Mrs Mary Darling telling her children bedtime stories through the open window.
Unfortunately, on one of these occasions, he loses his shadow after being spotted and accidently wakens Marys daughter Wendy whilst trying to retrieve it and who very kindly helps Peter by re-attaching his shadow to him using needle and thread.
Peter learns that Wendy knows many bedtime stories so invites her to join him in Neverland to be a mother to his gang, the Lost Boys (children who were lost when they fell out of their prams). Wendy agrees to go along with her younger brother Michael.
Their time in Neverland includes many adventures and meeting new and interesting characters along the way such as mermaids, fairies, Native Americans, pirates, the infamous Captain Hook and not forgetting a crocodile who has a ticking clock inside of him.
The story is a happy ending with Wendy and Michael taking the lost boys home with them and promising Peter that he will never be forgotten.
I have never been a fan of Pantomime so was not sure what to expect with this show so was surprised and thrilled at the same time to say that it is an experience not to be missed.
It is a show for all ages as it includes the traditional elements of pantomime along with a mix of cirque and ariel stunts and a giant battle in which the audience throw cannonball’s at Hooks ship along with wit and humour and Culture Club classic hits being belted out.
As Boy George was a part of the 80’s for me, I was really looking forward to actually getting the chance to see him live even in this unique role and all I can say is what a spectacular Captain Hook he made with his flamboyance, enthusiasm, and evil aspect of the role.
This highly entertaining show would not be complete without Jordan Conway as Peter Pan, Kelly Banlaki as Wendy Darling, Ebony Feare as TinkerBelle, Penni Tovey as Tiger Lily, Dorit Kemsley as the Magical Mermaid, Sam Fogell as Smee and the rest of the superb cast.
The show also needs special thanks to Chris Baldock for the choreography, Ben Rogers for Lighting, Regina Coulson for Wardrobe, Olly Ashmore for Music and all of the production team and crew.