Peter Pan pantomime review

Malaka Chowdhury at Birmingham Hippodrome

Malaka Chowdhury | Tuesday 24th December 2024 7:28pm

MAYBE being a Neverland villain isn't a bad thing; in fact, I encourage everyone to swipe a few tickets (if you must) to the most spectacular Peter Pan show in Birmingham! This high-flying adventure Is BIG, it's BOLD and jam-packed with more celebrities than you can shake a stick at, not least our very own Queen of Birmingham, Alison Hammond as the Magical Mermaid! The auditorium was buzzing with anticipation, with excited families looking forward to an evening of wonderful entertainment, and that's exactly what they got! I was gazing up in wonder at the beautifully designed curtain and I knew I was in for a treat. Based on the original play by J.M Barrie and adapted by Harry Michaels and Matt Slack, we follow the magical adventures of Peter Pan in Neverland and his beef with Captain Hook! 

A Hippodrome veteran in his 11th consecutive year, we were in the very capable hands of the incomparable Matt Slack as a regular fixture in Birmingham's pantomime, which he also co-writes; is there nothing the man can't do?! Back as Mr Smee, he is an absolute wonder at cracking jokes that come thick and fast with his customary nudge-nudge wink-wink double entendres for the parents! His relentless fizz and energy maintained the joyous audience interaction, especially bringing on a hapless audience member Dave, who was then joked about throughout the show. I particularly enjoyed his extended sideshow jokes; the one with the flags of the world was inspired, and the spot-on impressions of famous celebs brought the house down, from Trump to a boo-ed Keir Starmer. He did however, joke that the posh folks from Sutton Coldfield and Solihull could afford the top boxes, and people at the back were from Small Heath. My sister and I grew up in Small Heath, and I immediately said, "But the Peaky Blinders have made us cool now!". 

Brimming with effervescent charm and cheekiness, Slack is the very apt anchor of the show and plastered a smile on everyone's face for the 2hrs and 5 minutes (including the interval). He brought the best out of the fabulous cast, and pulled off that tricky feat of letting them shine whilst shining brightest of all! He was lovely when inviting younger audience members onstage at the end too, making them comfortable.

Directed by Michael Harrison, the action happens alongside the magnificent sets of pirate coves and rooftops and lagoons (well done Matt People and Mark Walters!), with rich hues of navy and gold and teal accompanied by changing bright lights (Ben Cracknell) to match the plot, from menacing green and reds for Hook's parts or pink and gold for Wendy and Pan. And the costumes! There is nothing I like better than a bit of spangle, and the costume designers Teresa Nalton and Mike Coltman outdid themselves by creating fabulously detailed outfits, festooned with feathers and glittery sequins, and even a cannon for Mrs Smee! I heard many delighted gasps about the costumes, and they were the extra-special characters that added the wow-factor to a show that knocked my socks off! The live orchestra were absolutely terrific too. 

We all know pantomimes are about the glitz, the glamour, the big names and jokes, so the hilarious Andrew Ryan as Mrs Sylvia Smee got a tremendous laugh when performing the 'What Happened to the Plot?' song! In his eighth Hippodrome pantomime, he had the audience eating out of his hand in his wacky costumes and larger-than-life performance. He was a joy to watch, and he effortlessly kept the laughs rolling in. The world's most famous fairy, Tinkerbell was played by the beautiful Billie-Kay who opened the show, handling a microphone malfunction with impressive calm until another was swiftly handed to her. She added wide-eyed wonder coupled with a jealous streak for Wendy Darling (Rhiannon Chesterman) who was growing closer to Harrison's Pan. Noah Harrison was delightful as the boy who never grows up, leaping about the stage with boyish buoyancy, belting out songs and refusing to talk about feelings or growing up! Michael Darling (Stanley-Joe Catling) and John Darling (Can Hughes) were sweet additions as Wendy's younger brothers. 

And special mention to the villain of the piece, Captain Hook played by a deliciously dastardly Danny Mac. An actor best known for his role as Mark 'Dodger' Savage in Channel 4's Hollyoaks, he cut a fine figure as he swashed and buckled his way through the production in a fetching variety of plumed hats and glittery jackets, sailing in on the Jolly Roger and vowing to kill off his sworn enemy Pan in a suitably gruff pirate voice. His dread of the croc was not exaggerated because the stunt crocodile was terrifying, almost swallowing up the stage! Hats off to the Special FX team, The Twins FX for a moment that made children and adults jump! I would have loved to see more of the croc but there was plenty more fun, like the fantastic rendition of Hook's 'Jailhouse Croc,' with a clutch of superb dancers to boot. The choreography (Karen Bruce) was super-duper, and the good-looking dancers added an extra layer of glam and athleticism to the show. Mac made us laugh when he asked if the children had enjoyed their ice-creams during the interval, mocking the prices and saying, "And they call me the villain!". He got the laughs, as well as the boos and played the part to perfection, and I hope to see him in future productions. 

But the veritable jewel in the crown had to be everyone's favourite Birmingham girl, Alison Hammond! She shimmered her way onstage in a blinding blue-sequinned mermaid outfit complete with a trident and brought her big Brummy bubbly persona to the night. Returning for her second pantomime after appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk last year, the This Morning, The Great British Bakeoff and three-time BAFTA-nominated television presenter hammed it up with the best of them, making everyone laugh when she accidentally lobbed a toy sea creature in the audience during an ensemble song with a fake. grumbling Matt Slack retrieving it for her! Her sense of humour and natural charm and confidence is why we all love her; she fit right in to the seasoned cast with her happy vibes, clearly having the time of her life. I'm a massive fan of Alison and I love that a Birmingham lass made good can make time and come back to her hometown, especially during the busy festive season. Like the pixie dust that fell prettily on the audience early on in the show, she sprinkled her own magical charm on us all! 

This pantomime production was undoubtedly the finest show I have watched all year, and I urge everyone to treat themselves and grab tickets as the show runs until Sunday 2nd February 2025. it was a magical extravaganza with laughs-a-plenty and over-the-top flamboyance for all the family, created by a group of phenomenally talented people, both onstage and off. As a Birmingham girl myself, I am so proud that the Birmingham Hippodrome is celebrating 125 years of excellence this year, and many of my happiest evenings have been spent here. Their commitment to the arts and culture matches my own enthusiasm, and so I say thank you and hope to watch many more spectacular productions like this one! 

***** Five star show!

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