Jon Monie as Smee is the consummate panto pro. With possibly the jiggliest eyes in the business – with an ability to make them appear attached to their sockets by nervous springs – he has, more importantly the skill to be able to sell a lame gag like few other performers. His technique is no sooner to offer a gag for sale to an unconvinced audience than to immediately take it off the counter with a, ‘’Huh, see if I care, take it or leave it’, nonchalance. It is the magic of turning base material into gold. The knack of forming an instant bond with the audience, especially first timers, is a hard won technique that comes from experience and a love of the pantomime form which he understands in all its absurdity. His co-star this year is Paul Nicholas who plays the traditional double of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook.

In the role of Hook Mr Nicholas positively oozes with gleeful malice, and seemed to be having far more fun in the role than a working gent has a right to expect. Notwithstanding, Mr Nicholas has a warmth of personality that suggests that at his blood curdling worst he is, despite gravel-voiced oaths to the contrary, more likely to tickle his victim to death than use any piratical skill of cutlass surgery burnished in the ports of the West Indies.  In short he is the perfect panto villain, threatening dire consequences and positively teasing the young audience to boo louder lest the dastardly act be performed. The louder they boo the more they like you, so goes the curious paradox of pantomime tradition.

The flying sequences are expertly handled, lending a touch of magic to the youthful bravado of Peter (Tim Edwards). The Darling’s flight over London is particularly atmospheric with its use of CGI.

Peter’s insouciance is balanced by the winsomeness of Wendy (Jenny Huxley-Golden) and her eagerness to grow up. This opportunity for her to be a mummy is too good to miss and she dives in to make the most of it. The boys, Michael and John (Cameron Tew O’Mara and Oliver Prutton) equally jump at the chance to bypass Sandhurst and join whatever fray happens to be on at the time. The rest of the Lost Boys, all making the most of the absence of a wagging finger at bed time, act as if born to the roles. Along with the girls, also from the Dorothy Colborne School of Dance, they all bring zip and professionalism to the glades and beaches of Neverland. Some fine acrobatics add spectacle to the goings on amongst the pirates and Indian braves.

Rachel Grundy swishes around on roller skates, a luminous Tinker Bell, jealous and protective of her Peter whilst Danielle Black is heap big brave as the determined Tiger Lily. Rebecca Wheatley has fun with the part of The Mermaid (and Mrs Darling) and reveals that strand to her talents as a singer that TV audiences will perhaps not be aware of.

With colourful sets and costumes, songs, dancing, flying and someone to boo with glee what more could you want from a panto?

★★★★☆     Graham Wyles   15^th December 2018

Photographer Freia Turland