Yesterday I was invited along to see this years pantomime at The Orchard Theatre, Peter Pan, starring Steve McFadden (Captain Hook) and Andy Ford (Smee). I took my best reviewer with me too, my five year old son, Tommy and you can find his honest review at the end!
As an actor myself, clocking up a few hundred panto performance in my time, I'm no stranger to this wonderful Christmas tradition (oh no I'm not!). I look forward to taking my son to this great British tradition every year and, Peter Pan at The Orchard Theatre was an absolute treat! A hilarious script, incredible set, wonderful performances and fun songs to sing along to, this pantomime had it all! Before I even get into my review, I must say... book your tickets! You will not be disappointed!
Firstly, as my first panto trip to the Orchard Theatre, this was my first "Andy Ford" panto, he is somewhat of a panto legend in Dartford and it is easy to see why. Playing the wonderfully funny Smee, he had the parents and children on his side right from the start, laughing out loud and it's fair to say he ran the show! What an absolutely wonderful performance, he is by far the best "comic" character I've ever seen in many years of panto. He was joined by the delightfully mean and funny, Steve McFadden who played the nasty Captain Hook. Everytime he came on stage he provoked "boo's" and "hisses" from the audience, he was a perfect panto baddie and him and Andy worked brilliantly together.
They were supported by a strong cast of actors, Joe Sleight as Peter Pan, Keisha Atwell as Tiger Lily, Isobel Hathaway as Tinker Bell and Jess Pritchard as Wendy. They told the story beautifully and the children in the audience clearly loved them all. Seeing Peter Pan and Wendy flying was magical and the production values of this show were incredible! We were blown away!
The (quite literally) BIGGEST surprise of the panto was the crocodile, without spoiling it for anyone has tickets, this is worth the price of the ticket alone! Spectacular(ly terrifying)! Honestly, an incredible sight! Well done, Orchard Theatre! It felt like we had been transported to a West End production, yet it was all on our doorstep!
The songs were catchy, beautifully delivered, the acting was top notch, the set and staging was of the highest quality and, most importantly of all, the children and the grown-ups in the audience had the BEST time! A total success, we are seriously considering going again! This panto is on until the 5th January, do go, support your local theatre, as good as the West End!
Tickets: https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/
Tommy's Take:
It was good. The parts when Captain Hook came on was terribly scary. It was very good, I think other boys and girls should go and watch it. Smee was my favourite character because he is funny at singing. I liked Peter Pan, I wanted him to win.
Commentaires