PETER PAN till 29 January
PETER PAN: adapted from the book of J M Barrie by Jonathan Kiley, Original Songs by Ian Wherry and Claire Dallison
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval, till 29 January
Review: Rod Dungate, 23 December 2005
A delight throughout, with plenty of surprises – and the marvellous Joe Pasquale
Birmingham Hippodrome's PETER PAN is a spectacular musical for young people. As adults we are disadvantaged that we cannot switch as easily as youngsters in and out of the narrative. As proof of which . . . we all know Tinkerbell dies (or nearly); the little girl behind me, right inside the story, as Tinkerbell is reborn called out with delight 'Tinkerbell!!' She was, then, inexplicably, told to 'Shhh!' by her mother. Who gets the greater enjoyment? I ask myself. Tinkerbell exists in this production – a silver, sparkling Anna Woodside gliding on roller-skates; she's often preceded or followed by a marvellous flying fairy laser effect.
I mention this audience member because, for the younger members of the audience, the story of Peter Pan lies intact in this version which is opened up to give space for wonderful sets and lively set piece dance numbers (Choreography Paul Robinson.) And of course, loads of space for Joe Pasquale.
Pasquale is fabulous. His easy-going manner draws us (young and old) forcibly into his world; we see the world though his child-like eyes. And his formidable energy is infectious, filling us with delight. Part comic, part clown, his set pieces are a miraculous mixture of corn and comic genius; note the 'Busy bee, Busy bee' routine with mouthfuls of water, or the classic plank of wood routine – as freshly funny as the first time I saw it (and on that occasion it was probably a plank from Noah's ark!)
Kerris Peeling matches Pasquale's energy in her feisty portrait of Peter Pan. This is no principal boy routine, but a genuine portrayal of a young boy. Peter Blake's stylish Captain Hook is delicious, exactly the kind of pirate captain we love to hate.
There are plenty of changes of pace to keep our interest, but the show never dips nor flags. And lots of surprises on the way, in particular an exciting vaulting-horse routine from the pirates, aka The Acromaniacs.
Starkey: Ian Sandy
Noodler: Toby Hull and Emu
Mr Darling/ Captain Hook: Peter Blake
Smee: Joe Pasquale
Mrs Darling/ Mermaid: Mina Anwar
Wendy: Lisa Seddon
Peter Pan: Kerris Peeling
Tinkerbell: Anna Woodside
Tiger Lily: Natalie Kennedy
Michael: Luke Di Bartolomeo/ Ben O'Hare
John: Jonathan Warrilow/ Sam Small
Pirates: The Acromaniacs
The Lost Boys: The Birmingham Stage School
Londoners, Pirates, Indians: Ashley Andrews, Simon Archer, Tim Matley, Leane Northcott,
Lia Given, Cassie MacMillan, Chloe Campbell, Sam Hall, Rossana Stocchino, Jennifer Leung
Director: Jonathan Kiley
Choreographer: Paul Robinson
Associate Choreographer: Thomas Spratt
Musical Director: Robert Willis
Lighting Designer: Adrian Barnes
Fight Arranger: Karl Magee<2005-12-23 10:36:57