PETER PAN: A PANTOMIME ADVENTURE

Greenwich Theatre

★★★★

“The whole cast is slick, confident and bursting with energy, driving this gloriously bonkers show with gusto”

Looking for a panto to keep you laughing all the way to Christmas? Look no further than Greenwich Theatre’s latest instalment, ‘Peter Pan: A New Pantomime Adventure’. This riotous show is packed with slapstick, silliness and sparkle for all the family. It’s cheeky, cheerful and utterly charming – catch it while you can!

It’s 2025 and Wendy’s great granddaughter (also called Wendy) is stuck working at a car wash. Luckily her necklace doubles as a distress beacon, summoning Peter Pan who whisks her off to Neverland. Meanwhile, Captain Hook frets about his ‘old’ age, and Tinker Bell – jealous of Wendy’s arrival – tips Hook off about a fountain of youth. Cue pirates, puppets, misadventures, double entendres and more fish puns than you can shake a hook at.

Award winning writer Anthony Spargo returns with his fourth Greenwich panto, a gloriously bonkers spin on J. M. Barrie’s classic tale. Modern twists abound, from a Gen Z Tinker Bell to a flying Vauxhall Astra. The script is crammed with jokes of every flavour: puns, dad jokes and cheeky double entendres, with as many groans as belly laughs. Spargo’s fresh spin has plenty of fun for families and even more for the grown ups. I would argue not every song is necessary, but the sheer comic energy keeps the show fizzing.

Directed by James Haddrell, Greenwich Theatre’s Artistic Director, expect the traditional campy villains and strait-laced goodies. Inventive video transitions, slick turntable scene changes and flying antics keep things lively, while Tink’s Heelys and a pile of puppets add extra fun. There are some genius moments, such as the age-defying fountain of youth, and the ‘Indiana Jones’ style boulders bouncing over the audience. The pace zips along until the shout outs and sing off at the end, leaving the finale a touch flat. Still, it’s a cracking good time.

The music is directed by ‘Uncle’ Steve Markwick on piano, with Gordon Parrish on guitar and Chris Wyles on drums. The trio create a full, lively sound. A panto isn’t complete without song parodies, though not every number feels necessary – the over used ‘Anything You Can Do’ duet springs to mind, though this does allow Smee (Louise Cielecki) to show off her pipes. Some songs rely on rather simple word swaps, though the fish pun medley is a genuine hoot.

Set and costume design by Emily Bestow is a glitter laden gift with impressively detailed hand-painted sets. Costumes embrace DIY panto charm, with Hook’s enormous hat stealing the show. Aidan Good’s sound design could do with more balance, as the band overpowers the singers and Tinker Bell’s (Olivia Williamson) vocals struggle to cut through. That said, the varied use of sound effects and incidental music adds real sparkle. Henry Slater’s lighting design becomes increasingly playful with moments of real theatrical flair. Nancy Kettle’s choreography is suitably playful, keeping the action lively. Hannah Schlenker’s video design is slick and inventive, with some standout moments including the ‘Mario Kart’ style sequence. Puppets by Pavlov’s Puppets and Naomi Oppenheim are a delight.

Spargo’s Hook is the star of the show, brimming with all the charisma, swagger and camp flair befitting a panto villain. Spargo commands the stage with impeccable timing and sharp asides and is a joy to watch. Samuel Bailey’s Peter Pan brings infectious energy and a strikingly powerful voice. Nikita Johal’s Wendy matches this with a perky presence and equally impressive vocals. Alex Marshall’s mermaid is a surprise highlight, oozing unexpected charm. The whole cast is slick, confident and bursting with energy, driving this gloriously bonkers show with gusto.

If you’re pining for a pun-packed panto, ‘Peter Pan: A New Pantomime Adventure’ is the one for you. Brimming with laughs for children and adults alike, it’s a glittering treat worth catching while you can.