Panto Review: Peter Pan - Richmond Theatre ✭✭✭✭
Peter Pan
Richmond Theatre
Review by Emma Curry
14 Dec 2018: It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and that can only mean one thing: panto season! Richmond Theatre have opted for Peter Pan this year, and put together a dazzling show with high-wire action, glitzy costumes, stunning Neverland sets, and one seriously terrifying ticking crocodile.
Robert Lindsay takes the starring role of Hook and has an absolute ball. His Hook is the perfect comic panto villain – styled like Captain Jack Sparrow (but with hair rollers at one point), he tears his way through Fagin-esque songs, arch quips about the state of his career, plenty of brilliant sound gags with the orchestra and a hilarious romantic number later on with Mimi the Magical Mermaid (Rachel Stanley, in full TOWIE-esque glitter and sequins). His stage experience is clear in his ability to adlib hilariously to the audience’s catcalls, and he really brings the show together and unites the cast around him.
Harry Francis also does sterling work as Peter, demonstrating some seriously impressive dancing, singing, and high-wire skills, whilst Keisha Marina Atwell is a fantastic pop diva-styled Tiger Lily. Jon Clegg – who you may recognize as the impressionist from the 2014 series of Britain’s Got Talent – plays a cheerful and charming Smee and is responsible for some of the more groan-inducing puns. He has some great interactions with the audience and invited some young members up on stage for one of the show’s most heartwarming moments.
In a few places the cast were occasionally still finding their feet with the material a little, but I have no doubt things will go from strength to strength over the course of the run as they become more familiar with the show. There are also some perhaps slightly inappropriate jokes and costuming choices but no doubt that’s all within the traditional anarchic panto spirit.
All in all, this is a fantastic evening’s entertainment – there are jokes and songs for everyone no matter what your age, and we all went out into the night with a warm, fuzzy festive glow. If you’re on the hunt for a panto this season and not sure which one to pick, rest assured Richmond’s is Pan-tastic! J
Four stars! ✭✭✭✭
Sat 8 Dec 2018 – Sun 6 Jan 2019
Tickets From: £12*
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