Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
The legendary Royal and Derngate pantomime returns for another festive season. This season, the venue sweeps us to Foreverland with Peter Pan and company!
 |
| The full company. Photo by Pamela Raith |
Treated as a sequel to the original Peter Pan story, we are given familiar story beats but with a new twist. Forget Wendy (who is criticised for her bossy mothering behaviour) and in comes Poppy Sunshine. Before heading to bed, she’s told the story of Peter and Foreverland, before being awoken by the arrival of Tink- Peter’s best friend! Poppy is taken off to Foreverland to embark on the quest to protect the spirit of pantomime, which Captain Hook wishes to steal, thus stopping all singing, participation and other panto traditions.
Paul Hendy's script this year does not always deliver and neither do all the performances. The jokes often fall flat and some of the beats of the story are messy and underdeveloped. The idea of the spirit of the pantomime being important is a fun one and does work quite well, however, there’s a sense watching the production that it still needs a bit of work to reach full potential. There seems to be a lack of chemistry between the cast and there are a few entrances and exits which aren't quite perfected.
As the story begins, the laboured first scene in the orphanage does overstay its welcome, although things are elevated by the warmth of Millie Davies as Poppy Sunshine. The opening number of 'Golden' from K-pop Demon Hunters (which is surely one of the most used pantomime songs this year) is full of energy and sets the production off, but it does take a little too long to get to the point of Poppy taking flight to this magical world.
Once we are in Foreverland, the story does move at a decent pace with many of the regular tropes used. The Royal and Derngate wheelbarrow of puns does return, this year featuring puns relating to film titles. It's a genuinely clever and well-written scene with over 40 puns packed in. The first half also features the water fight, which sees the audience soaked by water pistols, bringing an element of fun audience participation to the production.
 |
| Gordon Cooper as Mrs Sweet and Oliver Scott as Charlie. Photo by Pamela Raith |
The second act features the legendary Royal and Derngate bench scene, once more deploying 'Ghostbusters' as the song the characters sing. Enjoyable is the use of a ghost that flies in and they are given a great costume as a ghostly pirate. The slosh scene, here an ice cream making sequence starts off impressively, but as it goes on, it feels more forced and obvious as you can anticipate the prat falls coming before they happen.
If anything, it's the musical moments that are the production's most memorable. The use of 'Welcome To The Rock' from Come From Away as we enter Mermaid Cove is really inventive and is possibly the strongest of the musical numbers. Using 'Proud Mary' to close the first act is punchy and strong as bubbles fall over the audience. Fun's 'Some Nights' is given a cracking rendition in the second act before 'From Now On' from The Greatest Showman ends the story of the show. Even the curtain call use of Gala's 'Freed From Desire' is delightfully unique and has some members of the audience up on their feet dancing along.
This year's star casting comes as John Thompson plays Captain Hook. He does have the right bravado and menace to his role. Where he comes completely lost is in the music numbers. A mumbling version of 'Cell Block Tango' in the first act, but there is a better rendition of 'Sweet Child of Mine' in the second act. He does show impressive drumming too, although it's questionable to see the character take off the hook for this and he very obviously gets the hook back from one of the ensemble. This could have been covered in a much better way.
It's great to see inclusive cast having George Webster part of the cast. Although he is given little to do except a couple of dances in reference to his appearance on the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing. Webster plays George, one of the pirates and every exit is given applause, almost like they treat him as not an equal to the rest of the cast, who don't get given the same treatment. It would have been lovely to see him utilised a bit more, allowing his full and immense talent to be showcased to audiences.
 |
| John Thompson (centre) and the company. Photo by Pamela Raith |
Oliver Scott is hugely likeable and impressive as Charlie, another one of Hook's pirate crew. He is a friend to the audience and his knowing glances and smiles make him a great person to watch. The production feels elevated when he is on the stage.
Gordon Cooper returns after an outstanding performance last year in Cinderella. His dame costumes as Mrs Sweet are rightly larger-than-life and he does all he can with the material but often the jokes don't land as well as they could. I'd have loved to have seen a bit more of a sense of playfulness in the delivery. Cooper feels like he's been a little restricted this year.
Millie Davies gives a standout turn as Poppy Sunshine. She gives a stunning vocal performance and has such radiant warmth to the role. David Breeds does everything he can with Peter, pairing well with Millie and the company, but is another role with little to do. It never feels like this is his story.
Simone Robinson plays dual roles as Miss Doodble and Myrtle. Her vocal range is outstanding, delivering that version of 'Proud Mary' with soulful vocals. Georgia Brierley-Smith as Tink is full of sprightly energy and makes for a fun fairy; she engages the audience instantly. Strong too are the ensemble who play a variety of roles, including pirates, mermaids and merman and lost boys and girls. They perform Keeley East's choreography with flair.
Arguably, the best performance of the show is by Grace Porter as Ethel the Overacting Pirate. Porter has a blast delivering this and is constantly watchable in the role. She is fun, energetic and can push the role as far as she can. I'd have loved to have had even more of the character.
As always with Evolution, the panto does deliver visually. The set designed by Morgan Brind, Michelle Marden and Stuart Relph is gorgeous to look at, as the world of the show is crafted with real care. It's enhanced by the lighting of Jack Weir, which enables dark and light to play out in the world. The integration of projections enables the production to travel between locations impressively.
It's a shame that this production does feel a bit messy. I'm sure that as the run goes on, the issues will be ironed out or improved, and it will be much stronger for it. There are plenty of moments that are enjoyable, and it isn't a complete misfire. Still serving up big entertainment for all ages, the Royal and Derngate pantomime is one of the festive events not to be missed.
The New Adventures of Peter Pan runs at Royal and Derngate until Wednesday 31st December 2025. Tickets are available from https://www.beyondthecurtain.co.uk/2025/12/dick-whittington-derby-arena-review.html
 |
| Millie Davies as Poppy Sunshine and David Breeds as Peter Pan. Photo by Pamela Raith. |
Post a Comment