The All New Adventures of Peter Pan at Royal and Derngate Review
Peter Pan at Royal and Derngate. Photo by Pamela Raith
Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
All aboard and hoist the sails at the Derngate this festive season with their Gingerbread cottage Snack huts and merchandise aplenty, with plastic swords and fairy wands available for the younger members of the audience.
The curtains rise, and we are introduced to the lost boys and girls in an orphanage in London, where we meet Poppy Sunshine, a delightful little girl played by Millie Davies, who introduces us to the characters and premise of this modernised and innovative pantomime. Millie’s singing voice throughout the show was superb, and she was able to hold a really wicked note during one of her musical numbers.
Unfortunately, the introduction of various characters and the sub-plot had me asking myself the questions ‘Who on earth is Poppy Sunshine?’ and ‘Where is Peter Pan?’ twenty-five minutes into the first act. Flying in to save the audience from confusion is Tinkerbell, the cheeky but sweet fairy shadow, played by Georgia Brierley-Smith who also brings energy, laughter and singing talent to the stage during this production.
Tink whisks Poppy away to the island of Foreverland (yes, you heard that right!), not Neverland, and as the actors soar above the stage, a mesmerising projection is displayed. The use of technology within this panto added a further dynamic and some much needed up-to-date fun.
All aboard the fun bus as the next stop is the ominous pirate ship, ‘The Jolly Dodger, home to the formidable Captain Hook. Playing the baddie in this year’s panto is Coronation Street’s John Thomson, who, along with his fantastic drumming skills, plays a likeable but equally terrifying pirate and head of the scallywags. Scared of crocodiles and desperately searching for a particular object that he wishes to steal, John, as Captain Hook, provides many scary but hilarious moments.
Playing shipmates Charlie and George are Oliver Scott and George Webster. This duo naturally have a great camaraderie and get the audience, who were particularly flat during this performance, to join in by oooing, booing and shouting ahoy me hearties!
Oliver also has a great moment on stage with Gordon Cooper, who plays Mrs Sweet. Their scene on stage with 43 consecutive jokes was both clever and funny and they bounced off each other really well. Mrs Sweet’s creative coastline costumes as well as Gordon’s participation with the audience and understanding that the jokes are cheesy, meant that the audience could warm to the traditional Dame character within this show.
The extremely talented Simone Robinson, who plays Myrtle, really brings the scene before the interval to life, and the use of special effects here adds to the magic of the day.
Grab your grog and your punch in the second act as you haul up the sails when the show seems to redeem itself and the sub-plot becomes clearer. The marketing produced for this show does not include David Breeds, who plays the title character, Peter Pan. In the second act, David’s acting talent and singing ability add renewed energy, and I feel that his omission from the marketing material is a mistake.
That being said, the Jolly Dodger as well as Foreverland and Mermaid Cove provide scenery which is both magical and mesmerising and the set designers, Morgan Brind, Michelle Marden and Stuart Relph, have created something truly special, along with the use of the projections and technology as previously mentioned.
Joseph Church and Alex Turney as Musical Director and Musical Supervisor respectively, lead the live band throughout this production and share their musical talent and adaptability with the audience.
Without the talent of the carefully selected and diverse cast and people behind the scenes, this show wouldn’t have received four stars, as I found the script to be particularly difficult to follow at times.
If you're seeking the essence of pantomime—complete with bad jokes, cheesy one-liners, and plenty of fairy dust—then head over to Foreverland at the Royal and Derngate this Christmas. ‘The All New Adventures of Peter Pan’ runs until Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
★ ★ ★ ★
