11 December – 11 January
Theatre goers need pay close attention to the title of this colourful romp. Panto supremo, Jon Monie, has whisked up a seasonal confection based on a plot that just tweaks the ending of the Peter Pan story. Hold onto your hat: Captain Hook didn’t meet a watery end when Peter forced him to walk his own plank! No, he survived and lived a solitary existence on a desert isle whilst plotting his revenge. He is now back in Neverland, darker of heart and nastier than ever. But soft, what’s this, Smee is a turncoat? Can Hook’s right-hand man (left hand would have been more useful?) really have become a goody-goody? Under (now Captain) Smee of the Jolly Roger, Neverland has become once more a land of fun and adventure with the pirates (The Nitwits) ‘Ooo aarghing’ their way through jolly acrobatics and general silliness.
Meanwhile, back near Kensington Gardens, Tinker Bell, a wannabe superhero, flies into the life of social media addict, Emily Darling (Bobbie Chambers) great great grand-daughter of Wendy and with little persuading and a pinch of fairy dust whisks her off to Neverland with a plan to outfox the dastardly Hook. He has by now schemed to usurp Smee and bound the new ‘Lost Boys and Girls’ and caged the Baby Bells. A friendly crocodile (that is to all but Hook) helps to thwart Hook’s plan for Neverland domination and after a swashbuckling fight Hook is defeated and persuaded to change his ways. Finally, a harvest of fairy dust helps Emily get back to the world of grown-ups and a life less glued to her phone now she has tasted real adventure.
Monie (Smee) with a fair few pantos under his belt has the recipe for success baked into the script with all the expected additions of the, ‘look behind yous’ and ‘oh no there isnts’, silly jokes, dances and songs bringing the whole to bubbling life. Monie, himself a master of connecting directly with an audience of varying ages, is ably aided by a cast with no lack of experience and skill in the same department. Holly Atterton, fluid on skates and dressed in green with tousled red hair, is a perky Tinker Bell bringing magic to Neverland. Tristan Gemmill is a fine Hook, all the better for getting the artistic side of over-the-top with a comic performance of strength as well as malice. My favourite song is his rendition of ‘Breaking the Law’. Another actor able to hold her own and an audience in song is Sarah Jane Buckley who doubles as a mumsy Mrs Darling and a shimmering, glamorous Ethel Mermaid dressed in glittering turquoise.
Marcus J Foreman is a wilfully childish Peter; flying with elegance, full of bravado and a determination not to become ‘adult’ with all that that entails.
Finally I must mention the Baby Bells from the Dorothy Colbourne School of Dance. A jollier, more eager, more accomplished, more charming group of impish talent-in-the-making it would be hard to find.
The show is a colourful dose of seasonal cheer with a timely message for young smartphone lovers.
★★★★☆ Graham Wyles 13 December 2025
Photography credit: Stewart McPherson
