The New Adventures of Peter Pan, Playhouse Whitley Bay Panto
Written by Stacy for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
It’s my second trip to Neverland in the past week and boy, have Blue Genie at Whitley Bay Playhouse got something special for you with their version of The New Adventures of Peter Pan. This show takes you on a magical journey beyond the familiar story we all know and love, breathing fresh life into J.M. Barrie’s timeless classic. With a perfect blend of sparkling humour, vibrant performances, and dazzling production values, this pantomime captures the spirit of adventure and festive cheer, delivering an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. From the moment the curtain rises, the energy and charm of the cast deliver a whirlwind trip to Neverland like never before.
The narrative is set years after the original story and our tale begins with Wendy’s great, great-granddaughters, Jessica and Angela Darling in the nursery as their Auntie Patsy regales stories of Wendy’s Neverland adventures in a time gone by. Cue the arrival of a roller-skating Tinkerbell who has come looking for Wendy as Captain Hook, thought to be vanquished, has returned and Tink fears for Peter Pan. With no Wendy to take back to Neverland, Tink convinces the new generation of Darlings to take to the air and fly away on a new quest to save Neverland.
The show is anchored by the dynamic knockabout that is Steve Walls playing the comical role of Smee. It’s no wonder this is his fourteenth year at Whitley Bay Playhouse (and 28th pantomime as a principal comic). His unwavering ease with the audience and infectious energy delivered a first-class performance that only years of experience can bring. Bouncing off this performance to create a fantastic duo was Luke Martin as Starky. The interaction between the pair added hilarious moments, wild antics and a Tuesday night audience that was thoroughly entertained. Martin as Starky is an all-round star, his comic timing, cute as a button delivery and slapstick hilarity had me in stitches from start to finish. Together their comedic chemistry and engaging performances were a match made in panto heaven.
Darren Day as Captain Hook was a smash hit. From glorious vocals to Jack Sparrows antics, he looked like he was having the time of his life in this villainous role, sparring with the cast and audience – he was positively gleeful to be bad. He certainly feels at home in pantomime and it’s no surprise that he has been nominated in the category of Best Male Villain at the Great British Pantomime Awards for a previous rendition of Captain Hook. His performance was generous, working seamlessly with the cast to create a cohesive performance where everyone had their moment to shine. Speaking of shining, can we pause to appreciate the wonder that is the Act 1 finale…..no spoilers allowed – but wow!!! Showing that this show spared no expense to bring a spectacular production where no bell or whistle was spared.
What is a panto without a Dame? A very sad show indeed. But bringing big dame energy back as Patsy the Mermaid is the wonderful Daniel Mawston. With envious pins, a dry, witty comic tone, and spectacular outfits that left no rhinestone behind, Mawston delivered witty one-liners, double entendres, and physical humour with theatrical flair, showing why Patsy is the treasure of the North East. Completing the cast, we have Mary J Proud as Tinkerbell, showcasing glorious vocals and sensational skating skills, she had the young people in the audience absolutely mesmerised. Harry Downes as Peter Pan was playful, mischievous and instantly likeable, bringing vocal, dance and aerial skills to the mix. Sophie McKinnon as Jessica Darling was feisty and fun with a beautiful singing voice. But my little star was India Rutherford playing Angela Darling. Rutherford is part of a trio of young actresses sharing the role of Angela and what a future star we have on our hands here. From start to finish she was fully in character, acting her talented socks off. An asset to the show with a level of professionalism beyond her years.
Bringing in the final element of pantomime magic is my personal favourite ingredient, the dancing. This captivating choreography, created by Joanne Walls, brought a whirlwind of energy to the musical numbers, bursting with lively movement that perfectly captured the spirit of the production. The ensemble’s synchronisation was impressive, creating a sense of intended joyous chaos that filled the stage. The dance troupe was made up of four technically sound professional dancers; Rory Betts, Grace Bartlett, Nicholas McMahon and dance captain Megan Wade, plus four rotating troupes of young stars. Tonight, we had the Green Team bringing the sass and cute factor to the performance. It’s an absolute joy to see children make up a part of any pantomime and their beaming smiles said it all.
The New Adventures of Peter Pan is a magical, laugh-out-loud adventure, packed with perfect performances, vibrant sets, and festive fun for the whole family.
At Whitley Bay Playhouse until 4 January 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
