LondonTheatre1

London Theatre: Tickets | Reviews | News | West End | UK Touring Productions

ATG Tickets
  • Home
  • Top Selling Shows
    • Musicals
    • Plays
      • A Christmas Carol
      • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
      • The Mousetrap
      • The Woman in Black
      • Witness for the Prosecution
    • Back To The Future
    • Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
    • Dirty Dancing
    • Frozen The Musical
    • Heathers
    • Jersey Boys
    • Les Misérables
    • Mamma Mia
    • Matilda the Musical
    • Moulin Rouge
    • Pretty Woman the Musical
    • The Book of Mormon
    • The Lion King
    • The Phantom of the Opera
    • Tina the Musical
    • Wicked
    • London Theatres
      • Seating Plans
      • Adelphi Theatre
      • Aldwych Theatre
      • Ambassadors Theatre
      • Apollo Theatre
      • Apollo Victoria Theatre
      • Cambridge Theatre
      • Criterion Theatre
      • Dominion Theatre
      • Duchess Theatre
      • Duke of York’s Theatre
      • Fortune Theatre
      • Garrick Theatre
      • Gielgud Theatre
      • Gillian Lynne Theatre
      • Harold Pinter Theatre
      • His Majesty’s Theatre
      • Kit Kat Club London
      • Lyceum Theatre
      • Lyric Theatre
      • New Wimbledon Theatre
      • New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
      • Noel Coward Theatre
      • Novello Theatre
      • Old Vic Theatre
      • Palace Theatre
      • Palladium
      • Phoenix Theatre
      • Piccadilly Theatre
      • Playhouse Theatre
      • Prince Edward Theatre
      • Prince of Wales Theatre
      • Richmond Theatre
      • Savoy Theatre
      • Shaftesbury Theatre
      • Sondheim Theatre
      • St Martin’s Theatre
      • Trafalgar Theatre
      • Vaudeville Theatre
      • Victoria Palace Theatre
      • Wyndham’s Theatre
  • News
    • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • UK Shows
    • Alexandra Theatre
    • Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
      • Norman Bragg Studio
    • Brighton Theatre Royal
    • Bristol Hippodrome
      • Bristol Theatre Seating Plan
    • Edinburgh Playhouse
    • Glasgow Theatre Royal
    • Grand Opera House York
    • Granville Theatre
    • King’s Theatre Glasgow
    • Leas Cliff Hall
    • Liverpool Empire
    • Manchester Opera House
    • Manchester Palace Theatre
    • Milton Keynes Theatre
    • New Theatre Oxford
    • New Victoria Theatre Woking
    • New Wimbledon Theatre
    • New Wimbledon Theatre Studio
    • Princess Theatre Torquay
    • Regent Theatre Stoke
    • Rhoda McGaw Theatre
    • Richmond Theatre
    • Stockton Globe
    • Sunderland Empire
    • Swansea Arena
    • Victoria Hall Hanley Stoke
  • Newsletter
  • West End
  • Theatre Breaks
    • Dancewear
Home » Reviews » Review of The Lost Boy Peter Pan at the Pleasance Theatre

Review of The Lost Boy Peter Pan at the Pleasance Theatre

December 7, 2017 Last updated: December 7, 2017 1:10 pm By Cassandra Griffin

The Lost Boy Peter Pan, courtesy The Other Richard
The Lost Boy Peter Pan, courtesy The Other Richard

The arrival of Christmas brings with it two certainties; the first that there will be no shortage of pantomimes, the second that Peter Pan will likely be one of them! This year, audiences have an alternative to the typical Peter Pan pantomime in the form of Alexandra Spencer-Jones’ production The Lost Boy Peter Pan. Presented as a musical adaptation and with imagery reminiscent of musicals such as Once, the production sets itself up to be an all singing all dancing extravaganza. In reality, while teaming with talent and enthusiasm the piece is much less Barlow’s Finding Neverland and much more Christmas pantomime.

Energy is in abundance on the stage and from the moment the production kicks off the audience are delivered a delightful bounty of childhood exuberance and boundless fervour. From he who never grew up, to adults who are young at heart, one could be forgiven for questioning whether Toby Falla’s Pan is subject to the same laws of gravity as we mere mortals. Leaping and bounding and as light on his feet as any fairy or phantom, there are certainly moments when the audience may reach for the fairy dust, temporarily considering the legitimate possibility of flight!

The proficiency with which the performers swap between characters at a rapid pace is testament to the versatility of the cast. Likewise, the musical prowess is certainly admirable and the ways in which they seamlessly swap between instruments and roles is exceptional. That said, the overall structure and vision of the piece seems lost on its journey to Neverland, and certain elements feel ‘tacked on’ rather than integrated into the heart of the production.

The gratuitous inclusion of several songs that do nothing to facilitate character introspection or further the narrative are greatly disruptive to the flow. Likewise, the incorporation of Pan’s origin story, presumably intended to add an emotional weight to the production, adds little to the narrative and draws out opening scenes unnecessarily. This seems be a recurring issue, with several well intended departures from the script explored in theory but not given the depth required for them to truly add to the story. The same can be said for additional characters, such as the Welsh mermaids, who contribute little yet are given substantial stage time – extending the duration with little gain.

There are, however, some spectacular exceptions to this, notably the amazingly choreographed fight between Hook and Pan which has superb musical accompaniment and is brilliantly delivered by Fallah and Wesley Lineham. Likewise, the choreography depicting Pan’s initial flight is also a stand-out moment and is beautifully executed and integrated with sophistication.

For those with a love of the boy and his mischievous shadow, the fairy dust and magic are certainly delivered. For those looking for an alternative to pantomime, you might find yourself a little like the lost boys.

3 Star Review

Review by Cassandra Griffin

Based on the most famous children’s story of all time, this magical adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of fairies, pirates and the little boy who flew through the window is the perfect alternative to Pantomime. The Lost Boy Peter Pan is a journey past the second star to the right and on until morning, featuring an exciting and diverse selection of well-known pop songs.

Searching for the perfect mother, Peter finds Wendy Darling and her brothers, taking them to his home in Neverland. Will they ever return? Will they ever grow up?

This funny and moving tale offers an insight into Peter’s life before he met Wendy and offers a fresh look at this much-loved story. With seven live actor-musicians, this enchanting and charming production is a treat for all ages.

Writer/Director Alexandra Spencer-Jones
Lighting Designer Sarah Hazelgrove

Cast
The Lost Boy Peter Pan – Toby Falla
Wendy Darling – Hannah Haines
Captain Hook/Mr Darling/Tink – Wesley Lineham
John Darling – Joshua Leese
Tinkerbell/Tiger Lily/Tootles – Georgie Parker
Mrs Darling/Nibs/Queen of The Fairies – Olivia Warren
Michael/Smee/Nana – Thomas Parrish

The Lost Boy Peter Pan
Performance Dates Wednesday 29th November 2017 – Sunday 7th January 2018
Running time 75 minutes
Age recommendation 3+
Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
https://www.pleasance.co.uk/

Latest News & Reviews

HAMILTON UK and Ireland Tour Full Cast Announced

Producers Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to … [Read More...]

It’s Headed Straight Towards Us at Park Theatre

Backstage farce and character comedies about angsty actors reckoning … [Read More...]

TINA: The Tina Turner Musical extends booking in the West End

The hit West End production TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL which is … [Read More...]

Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder! – Bristol Old Vic

I’m not one for podcasts – a few years ago someone told me about … [Read More...]

Full Cast Announced for Stranger Things: The First Shadow

With rehearsals now underway, Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions … [Read More...]

Legend: The Music of Bob Marley at the Adelphi Theatre

In the early 1970s, reggae was regarded by the British press as “the … [Read More...]

Charles Court Opera presents The Mikado By Gilbert & Sullivan

Charles Court Opera specialises in small-scale productions of Gilbert … [Read More...]

Copyright www.LondonTheatre1.com
By using our website you’re confirming that you’re happy to accept our use of cookies.
Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising - About Us - Newsletter - Contact Us