Review: The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If Allan Stewart, on scintillating form as he celebrates his 25th year donning a frock as Edinburgh’s resident Dame, takes us on a nostalgic, if brief, trip back to the Seventies during in this year’s ‘King’s Panto’ at the Festival Theatre, so The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan takes us back further, to the heyday of variety and the golden age of music hall panto.
Light on story, heavy on gags, skits and spectacle, it’s a format that would have been only too recognisable to the generations of theatre goers who flocked to the Festival Theatre back when it was known as The Empire, and one that lends itself perfectly to the talents on stage.
Consequently, if you’re going along expecting JM Barrie’s classic tale of the boy who never grew up, forget it. The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan takes up shortly after that left off. Peter has lost his power to fly due to the magical waterfall at Mermaid’s Lagoon running dry of pixie dust. With Tink dispatched to bring Wendy back to Neverland to help save the day, it’s not long before Wendy and Peter are reunited and once again pitting their wits against the evil Captain Hook.
In this case, the lack of story proves a blessing and leads to a raucous couple of hours in panto heaven. From VAR to Lidl, David Cameron to Alexa and so many more, all the expected cultural reference and comic product placements are present and correct as are a host of familiar routines, all cleverly reworked to give them new leases of life. There’s nothing better than that ripple of expectant laughter from the audience as they twig what’s coming next.
From his entrance, flying in on a fabulous oyster shell, Allan Stewart is on fire as May McSmee. His variety roots and love of light entertainment shine through the entire production, never more so than in his show stopping pastiche, I Will Cook 500 Meals. You won’t see a better Dame this festive season or one that appears to be enjoying themselves quite as much. It’s a master-class in comedy, improvisation and audience interaction.
Grant Stott too, as the ‘Big Tidy’ baddie James T Hook revels in the madness and ensures his every entrance is met with a never-ending barrage of booing. Stott’s Act II opening number, a brilliant take on Harry Styles’ As It Was, and a turn as the Ringing Singing Mermaid a little later are highlights of the evening.
Not to be left out, kid’s favourite (and probably that of a few of the mums too) Jordan Young ensures the laughs keep coming. His bonhomie and rapport with the audience allows him to get away with the cheekiest of one-liners while demonstrating sharp comic timing and fantastic physical comedy. Hilarious.
No variety-style panto would be complete without a speciality act; enter Britain’s Got Talent’s Flawless, who add some acrobatic street dance to proceedings as Captain Hook’s ‘too cool for school’ crew.
Supported by Clare Gray, who has turned playing the ‘baddie turned goodie’ into an art form in its own right, Rebecca Stenhouse as a charming Tink, and Robyn Whyte, a feisty Wendy, the company is completed by a well drilled 10-strong ensemble and of course, the title character.
As Peter Pan, local boy, Kieran Lynch is a little dynamo of energy and the ultimate triple threat - he dances well, he sings and he can act, winning the audience over instantly with an infectious smile. Injecting energy into every scene he appears in and stealing more than one, he’s one to watch.
With glorious sets, eye catching projection and gorgeous lighting, as well as kids up on stage, cast in the audience, a Songsheet, and a glittering walk down to close the show, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan delivers a sparkling treasure chest of panto tradition courtesy of a company who are collectively masters of their crafts and are indeed, flawless.
Runs until 31 December, tickets from capital theatres.com
