PETER PAN EL MUSICAL. To 27 April 2008.
London.
PETER PAN - EL MUSICAL
book adaptation by Cristina Fargas music and lyrics by Cesar Constanti, Pablo Pinilla and others.
Garrick Theatre To 27 April 2008.
Charing Cross Road, London. WC2.
Mon, Wed – Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 4pm, Mat Wed & Sat 3pm.
Runs 2hrs 10 mins One interval.
TICKETS: 0844 412 4662/0870 890 1104.
Review: Geoff Ambler 31 March 2008.
Out of season Euro panto takes over at the Garrick.
Peter Pan, El Musical makes a strange addition to the Charing Cross Road. A massive success in Spain is hardly an obvious West End transfer. However, it is now open, it is very loud and it is still almost entirely in Spanish.
Performed with an unnecessary surtitled translation, that barely keeps time with the dialogue, Peter Pan is such a well know story that even the children should be able to follow it. For those without the benefit of speaking Spanish beyond that necessary for an occasional holiday, El Musical exists on just one level, that of the child’s, entirely missing the usual opportunity to engage the adult audience who necessarily have to attend such family shows. So, the humour becomes solely reliant on the visual gag. At times the children around me seemed to be enjoying it, although a lot of them were Spanish, but there was little to laugh at for their parents.
Opting for recorded music rather than an orchestra, then playing both the vocals and the music at near deafening volumes, over powers the pop ballads that filled the show. There are some seriously strong voices amongst an enthusiastic cast who could have got away without any amplification at all in the tiny Garrick. At one point some fine looking Mermaids swam across the stage, although the choreography of the night is during the acrobatic Stomp-esque tribal Indian scene.
The sprightly Pan, Miguel Antelo, is enthused with more than enough energy to portray the boy who never grew up and his earnest switch into English to ensure the audience understands enough to ensure Tinkerbell’s resuscitation, brings everyone back into Neverland, albeit briefly. While I generally believe in fairies I found it difficult to worry too much for the well-being of the Jean-Michel Jarre green laser, playing the mischievous elfin part.
This Peter Pan is a valiant but flawed attempt to bring a little bit of unadulterated southern Europe into the West End and while it may have had a better chance at Christmas, it would have had an even better chance at Christmas in Spain.
Garfio(Cpn Hook)/Sr. Darling: Miguel Angel Gamero.
Narradora/Sra. Darling: Cristina Fargas.
Peter Pan: Miguel Antelo.
Wendy: Isabel Malavia.
John/Ensemble: Rafel Brunet.
Michael/Ensemble: Isabel Alfonso.
Smee: Pedro Espadas.
Starkey/Cover Garfio/Sr. Darling: Fernando Samper.
Tootles/Ensemble: Inma Fernandez.
Jefe Indio/Ensemble: Israel Quintana.
Liza/Ensemble/Cover Narradora: Gorane Markinez.
Ensemble/Cover Peter Pan: Silvia Vilau.
Ensemble/Cover Wendy: Andrea Rodriguez.
Ensemble/Tigrilla: Marta Velasco.
Ensemble/Cover John: Alejandro Boned.
Ensemble/Cover Tootles: Antonio Garde.
Ensemble/Nana: Maxi Silvera.
Ensemble: Chelo Ramirez, Ana Torres, Alberto Arcos, Pascual Orti, Roberto Carlos, Andrea Ramirez
Swing: Jordi Vall.
Director: Cristina Fargas.
Associate Director: Jordi Vall.
Vocal Direction: Miguel Angel Gamero.
Choreographer: Lamberto Garcia.
2008-04-08 15:39:13