Review: PETER PAN, Birmingham Hippodrome
Photo credit: Paul Coltas
Birmingham Hippodrome may well receive the London Palladium’s panto sets and costumes (expertly designed by Mark Walters) a year later but there is certainly no sign of sloppy seconds here, as this year’s production of Peter Pan - produced by Crossroads Pantomimes - looks as sumptuous as ever on the Hippodrome stage, complete with HUGE crocodile and impressive flying elements. Plus with actor/comedian Matt Slack back at the helm, it has hit written all over it.
Produced and directed by Michael Harrison, this high-flying panto adventure upholds Birmingham’s high standards and title of the UK’s biggest regional pantomime. There are familiar names returning, both on and off stage, and this familiarity and warmth is what entices many audiences back to the Midlands venue year on year.
J M Barrie’s original play of Peter Pan is very loosely upheld here, like many other pantomimes across the country, making way for comedy sketches and other expected panto business. But the show doesn’t pretend to be anything that it’s not and there is even an adapted version of ‘Diva’s Lament’ dedicated to there being a lack of plot!
This production, as it has been for many years now, is a vehicle for Matt Slack (Mr Smee this year!) to showcase himself and his co-stars in the best possible way. His and Harry Michaels’ script exceeds this tenfold. Despite Slack performing in his 11th consecutive panto at Birmingham Hippodrome, his material is consistently funny and his new routines are of equal quality. The flag segment is especially witty, with his impressions spot on ever time, using popular culture references to his advantage. His rapport with his co-stars and audience members is so natural that you always feel totally comfortable watching him; it’s like greeting an old friend each time. It’s no wonder the Hippodrome snaps his arm off to get him back on an annual basis.
This Morning and Bake Off presenter Alison Hammond as the Magical Mermaid, whilst potentially underused, lights up the stage whenever she appears and always seems to be having the best time. Regular Dame Andrew Ryan is one of the best in the business. His performance of ‘I Am What I Am’ is quite sensational, along with his many fabulous costumes, designed by Teresa Nalton and Mike Coltman, with additional costume design by Ron Briggs and Hugh Durrant.
The supporting cast are the strongest that we have seen in recent years, with Hollyoaks’ Danny Mac as Captain Hook (who breaks his Strictly skills out for a great adapted performance of Elvis’ ‘Jailhouse Rock’), Andrew Garfield lookalike Noah Harrison as Peter Pan, Rhiannon Chesterman as Wendy, and Billie-Kay as Tink also giving superb performances. We want to be in Birming-Wonderland with them! The ensemble cast are also very slick handling Karen Bruce’s choreography, which is by no means easy.
The songs featured has been given fresh lyrics in an attempt to anchor the story, with Musical Director Robert Willis leading the charge during the show. There is even a lovely nod to the host venue is a specially written song set to the ‘Can-Can’ music to celebrate Birmingham Hippodrome’s 125th birthday this year, expertly performed by Matt Slack and Andrew Ryan - you can tell how much they adore coming back to entertain Brummie audiences year on year.
Running at two hours and five minutes, this show is pacy yet you never feel short-changed. You could argue that certain expected panto elements such as a ghost gag and slosh routine are missing but just how detrimental is the lack of these to this particular production? It’s not…but panto aficionado’s might think style has been opted over substance. Our view Besties, this is still one of best panto’s in the land.
Shiver me timbers and sprinkle us with pixie dust, book your tickets now for Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome - you really don’t want to miss this one!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jenny Ell
Peter Pan plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until 2 February 2025, with further info here.
