Peter Pan

Published Monday 17 December 2007 at 13:50 by Victor Hallett

It looks gorgeous, scene after scene unfolding like pages from a pop-up book. So why is this pantomime so unengaging? Because the comedians hardly establish any connection with the audience.

A potentially hilarious names routine goes for nothing while the auditorium fills with chatter. John Evans as Smee does a good opening routine but only comes into his own again with the youngsters on stage for the song. Chris Gascoyne tries hard as Captain Hook but his villainy is never potent enough. Only the energetic antics of The Acromaniacs give a welcome lift.

The goodies are much better. Adam Ellis is a vigorous Peter and Lauren Hall a sweet Wendy. I really liked Louise Lenihan’s petulant, roller-skating Tinkerbell.

That the audience long to be involved is shown by their hushed silence at Tinkerbell’s death and the wall of noise as Tiger Lily seeks their help in bringing her back to life. Nadia Ali-Idris’ Tiger Lily and her Indians steal the show with their funky singing and dancing.

The one scene that really shows what pantomime’s about is when the audience is asked to pelt the stage with sponge rocks. Controlled pandemonium results. If only there was more like that.