PETER PAN A SPECTACULAR TRIUMPH

REVIEW: Peter Pan
White Rock Theatre,
twice daily until January 4

PETER PAN at Christmas? That's not a panto is it? No, not in the accepted sense, with a Principal Boy and Girl and a multi-coloured Dame.

Is it a play? No, though it's based on J.M. Barrie's play and some scenes and dialogue are taken from it.

Is it a musical? No, though there is dancing and original songs as well as familiar ones.

Then what is it? It's a spectacular 'no expense spared' production with masses of colourful costumes, scene changes, special effects, atmospheric lighting, a sparkling score and establishes performers doing things you never dreamt they could and audience participation.

And, most importantly, opportunities for many of Hastings' young Thespians to showcase their talents.

So what is the story? In Edwardian times in the Darling's home, three children, Wendy, John and Michael, are cared for by their nurse Nana, who happens to be a dog.

Whilst their parents are at a dinner party, Peter Pan flies through the open window, looking for his shadow which was taken by Nana on a previous visit.

Wendy finds it and offers to sew it back on, in return for which Peter teaches the three to fly, and despite the jealousy of Tinkerbell, they  fly away to Neverland.

Here they find the Lost Boys, meet the villainous Captain Hook and his gang of pirates including ship's mate Smee, and Starkey. They learn that Indian Princess Tiger Lily has been captured. With Peter's help they outwit Captain Hook, free Tiger Lily and are taken to the Indian reservation. When Peter returns to his hideout the pirates capture Wendy and her brothers.

They are about to be made to walk the plank and Wendy is already tied to the mast when Peter returns, fights a duel with Captain Hook, who gets his just desserts, so Wedny is freed to return home followed by the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and her tribe and of course, Peter.

The pairing of former East Enders star Jon Lee in the title role and Claire Marlowe as Wendy the oldert of the children and 'mother' to the Lost Boys ensures the story is in safe hands.

Neil Brennan as in the original doubles Father Darling and the dastardly Captain Hook, Deborah Leigh Simmons as Mrs Darling sings with charm and clarity.

The roles of the two younger children are alternated by Jake Sands and Theo Gregory as John, and Oliver Wallace and Ben Matthews as Michael.

The comedy is fully explored by Steve Furst as Smee and Stephen McGlynn as Starkey, whilst Olivia Chenery adds glamour as Tinkerbell.

Audrey Leybourne's crystal-clear narration links the scenes whilst Nana is in the capable paws of Paddy Gree and the crocodile by a nom de plume (The theatrical 'disguise name' was formerly Walter Plinge - origin unknown!)

The music was arranged by Machiel Roets and played by Phil Hornsey, London By Starlight in the Prologue, later reprised, was a haunting melody. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life involved the audience.

My Shadow and Me was an effective dance sequence for Jon Lee and Tom Audibert, choreographed as were all the numbers, including an intricate tap routine, by Leyla Pellegrini.

Much thought had gone into the devising of the production which reflected particularly well on th etechnical staff, including the flying sequence.

It was great to see the White Rock stage used to its full extent, particularly as the same management Julian Chenery and Jamie Wilson* promise for 2009 their production of Snow White. Something which Hastings theatregoers can eagerly anticipate.

Marrion Wells

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Webmaster's Note:
* Jamie Wilson's interest in JC & JW Theatre Productions was acquired earlier in the year by theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz. As such, Jamie Wilson has had no involvement in the production of Peter Pan, neither does he have any business interest in JC & JW Theatre Productions Ltd, the producers of the show.

FROM THE HASTINGS OBSERVER

Some festive cheer has come the way of redundant Woolworths workers thanks to the magic of panto.

It's going to be a glum Christmas for staff at the Hastings store, who are losing their jobs next week.

But, when panto star and former S Club 7 singer Jon Lee heard the news he decided he wanted to do something to help spread a little happiness.

He approached the Peter Pan production company and as a result every member of Woolies' staff was offered free tickets for themselves and their family to the Tuesday evening performance this week.

The show's producer Julian Chenery was happy to play Santa by gifting the tickets. He said: "I know what it feels like. I lost my job just before Christmas 20 years ago so I really wanted to do something to help make these workers feel that there are people out there who care.

"We hope our panto magic will bring them some fun. It was the least we could do and everyone in the company wishes the Woolworths staff all good luck for the future."

Peter Pan, which also stars Hastings comic Steve Furst as Pirate Smee and a full supporting cast of lost boys, redskins and pirates, runs until Sunday January 4. For tickets call 01424 462 288.

See the original article on the Hastings Observer website

FROM THE HASTINGS OBSERVER

Flying isn't easy as it looks: that's what former S Club 7 singer Jon Lee discovered while rehearsing for the starring role as Peter Pan in this year's panto at the White Rock Theatre.

The show opened on Wednesday (December 10) and 26 year-old Jon is loving every minute of his latest job, even though the harness he has to wear so that he can fly away to Neverland is pretty uncomfortable and sometimes he's found himself circling out of control way above the stage.

"Once you start spinning you just can't stop," he laughed, "though luckily I haven't bumped into teh scenery - yet.

"Playing Peter Pan is a dream. He's full of energy and has a great spirit. He's always going to be a boy at heart and I get to do fantasy things that boys love, like sword fighting with pirates. It's keeping me young at heart."

This is Jon's first time in panto and he can't remember seeing many when he was a lad since, as a child actor himself, he was usually busy over the Christmas season.

He lives in Los Angeles now, hoping to carve out a new career for himself in America with lots of auditions beckoning when he returns in the New Year.

But before he goes he's looking forward to supporting former S Club chum Rachel Stevens when she competes in the semi-final of TV's must-see show Strictly Come Dancing.