The Stage

Peter Pan

Published Friday 15 December 2006 at 13:10 by John Thaxter

Forget the negative early reports. This gorgeous, tuneful revival by Roger Redfarn, more musical comedy than pantomime, set with lavish designs by Terry Parsons, cannot fail to be London’s best Christmas show. What’s more Henry Winkler, fondly remembered as the Fonz in Happy Days, delivers a brilliantly booable star turn as Captain Hook, one that completely justifies his trip from LA to downtown Wimbledon.

There are moments when seasoned panto performer Bobby Davro, playing Midshipman Smee, almost seizes the lead, including a raucous kangaroo singalong. But Winkler effortlessly remains in full piratical command, a cruel, cool customer sending the Lost Boys to walk the plank until put off his stroke by a predatory crocodile with an alarm clock in its belly.

The adaptation by Eric Potts - Corrie’s baker Diggory - respects the JM Barrie original with its nursery night-flight across a starry London landscape and the ever-present dangers of Neverland. But it also earns its keep with a dozen happy opportunities to introduce mood and storytelling showbiz numbers drawn from Oliver!, Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang - even Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, which supplies a touching solo for Sarah Jane Honeywell’s limber, tomboy Peter Pan, solemnly promising to take special care of Susie Anton’s Wendy and her siblings.

The Foy flying effects are both magical and breathtaking, including an astonishing moment when Peter flies right across the auditorium and off into the darkness of the circle. Kids around me were gobsmacked, one tiny mite exclaiming: “Mummy, they really are flying!” Strongly recommended for all ages.