Pan-tomine as energetic as ever
Peter Pan – The Pantomime By Pinky Agnew and Lorae Parry, directed by Susan Wilson, Circa Theatre, until January 13.
While everything is changing in and around Circa Theatre, one thing that hasn’t changed in more than 10 years is the end-of-year pantomime.
It is a successful formula that always draws large crowds and although this year’s panto has a new set of creators, Pinky Agnew and Lorae Parry, it is as bright, energetic and full of fun as ever.
There are jokes aplenty, probably more appalling than usual, as well as great musical numbers performed with panache
Especially commendable this year is the well-known tunes that are used with adapted lyrics to fit the storyline.
And of course, the story is that well known one about Peter Pan (Cary Stackhouse) who, with Tinkerbell (Bronwyn Turei, who is mostly seen as Xena Lily), takes Wendy (Camilla Besley) on an incredible journey to Neverland to meet the lost boys Dunnie (Ben Emerson) and Hone (Manuel Solomon), but where they also encounter the dastardly Captain Hook (Simon Leary) and his sidekick Smee (Jeff Kingsford- Brown). But it is a pantomime, and so of course, it would not be complete without the traditional panto-dame, in this case called Katie Pie (Gavin Rutherford) who, with her daughter Xena Lily, are all part of the action.
On a simple, but creative and functional set designed by John Hodgkins, the actors, dressed in an array of colourful costumes designed by Sheila Horton, sing, dance and race about stage, bringing the story to life.
The location is firmly set in Wellington, exemplified by a wonderful display of images across the back of the set, and so the jokes are very Wellington-centric and resonate with the audience.
But there is also much in this panto for children, who can look forward to lots of sword fights, chases, yelling at the dame e and even getting up on stage to help create a spell to bring Tinkerbell back to life.
However, for all this to come together in a slick, fast-moving production requires hard work and effort, which director Wilson, musical director/arranger Michael Nicholas Williams and their team of actors achieve with great success, making this an entertaining end-of year production for the whole family.
– Ewen Coleman