The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan Review
It’s Panto time, oh no it’s not… okay you know the drill…Read Mel Osborne’s Review of The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at The Regent…
The Regent theatre traditionally plays host to Johnny Wilkes Panto and this year he is back in good form in “The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan.”
Sadly, side kick Christian Patterson is absent this year due to other commitments, but he is joined by the amazing Kai Owen and Amanda Couts.
Pantomimes were traditionally started on Boxing Day but these days they have moved to Christmas
time and tend to end early Jan. In Stoke the annual show is the highlight of local families Christmas with mile long queues to buy tickets. It is the one event that should please everyone in the family…
The show opens with a bang and dazzling with spectacular lights. The show is non-stop innuendos, tomfoolery, toilet humour and ridiculous antics but, I wouldn’t expect anything else.
“The Pantomime adventures of Peter Pan” is a fresh spin off from the original stories. Wendy (Hannah Everest) is excited to be back in Neverland and meet her dear friends Tinkerbell and Peter Pan (Rory Sutherland), but Peter Pan has a problem – he has forgotten how to fly and needs Wendy’s help.
Captain Hook (Kai Owen) is back and wants to destroy Peter Pan. The plot isn’t complex, it doesn’t need to be, as fun and games is what Panto is all about.
I found it refreshing to see a twist on the original story. Everest has a stunning voice and dueting with the charismatic Amanda Couts was divine as the ladies level up on the sometimes male dominated show. As ever there are silly antics galore and Wilkes and Owen make a fantastic comedy duo causing chaos whenever they set foot on stage.
A particular highlight is the pair appearing as mermaids, YES you read that right and the jokes at times are more for the adults.
There are also some upsetting scenes of fairy abuse, you may wish to cover your eyes at this point, but I believe no fairies were harmed!
If you enter the theatre lacking Christmas spirit, then I can guarantee this show will make the biggest Christmas Grinches laugh. One of the wonderful things about Panto is that they celebrate community spirit and whilst there were some very cheeky jokes about local towns, everyone can be proud they are part of this wonderful city.
Peter Pan is a sparkling delight for all the family and will sprinkle you with enough pixie dust until you are doubled up with laughter. It was fantastic to hear the audience, young and old alike screaming with laughter and enjoying the fun of the theatre.
Five stars***** (All images Clara Lou Photography)
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is at The Regent Theatre, in Hanley until December 31. For more details and tickets visit The Regent Theatre
Follow BabaBaboon on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Read more LOCAL News on BabaBaboon here & please sign up to our Newsletter
