Peter Pan, Kings Theatre, Glasgow
★★★★★
Peter Pan lets its love of Glasgow shine through
A ferocious giant crocodile, a loving anthem for Glasgow and a stellar cast led by the high-flying Elaine C Smith ensure that this year’s Peter Pan at Glasgow’s Kings Theatre is one big 60th Anniversary panto party.
JM Barrie’s tale of the boy who refused to grow up has never been the easiest story to transform into a pantomime so writer Alan McHugh quickly gets the exposition out of the way as Tinkerbell, you can call them Tink, played by River City’s Darren Brownlie, gets the exposition out of the way so that the fun and games can flow fast and furious. And so, we join Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael and John as they travel to Neverland on an awfully big adventure to save the elusive Lost Children of Mermaid’s Lagoon from the dastardly, Beyonce-loving Captain Hook.
In this telling of the tale, they’re aided by Glasgow pantomime royalty, Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac, as Peggy Smee and her daft laddie Johnny. Both are top form and arguably one of the best double-acts on the Scottish panto circuit. If their gags are as corny as ever, the odd bit of topical satire is thrown in for good measure along with a mention of Gary Barlow’s son.
Smith revels in the ‘Panto Nanny’ character she has cultivated in the decades since The Kings eschewed the traditional panto dame and the warmth for her creation from the audience is only too evident. Likewise, from his impossible first appearance, Mac is enjoying himself, never more so than when interacting directly with the kids (of all ages) in the audience. Both are vital the two big highlights of the night, a Proper Pirate wordplay and new take on the traditional clapping game, A Sailor Went To Sea, Sea, Sea. The former is brilliantly executed with the help of Brownlie and brings the house down. The latter embraces the chaos and anarchy of all the best pantos, this time with the additional aid of Hannah Jarret-Scott, a sassy Captain Hook. All four work hard to ensure this is the show-stopping number of the night, and not just because they’re puggled by the end of it.
If Brownlie brings the OTT Seventies’ camp of John Inman to the role of Tink, Jarret-Scott is wonderfully threatening but never too scary for the kids. As Wendy and Michael Darling, Blythe Jandoo and River City’s Ty McPhee have fairly easy shifts but still manage to make their mark, while good old-fashioned slapstick and knockabout is provided by comedy tumbling troupe, The Acromaniacs.
Worth a special mention is Matt Kennedy, who embodies the essence of Peter Pan and demonstrates great panto energy, quickly having the kids on side. One to watch.
Director Kathryn Rooney ensures the pace builds to a glorious finale while musical director Grant Walsh keeps the score of familiar, and less so familiar numbers tight – expect Flying Without Wings, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, Shake It Off and a high energy Boogie Wonderland. There’s also an unexpected and hilarious return of Baby Shark.
A sentimental rendition of Caledonia provides the perfect way into the traditional call-outs and a song sheet, brilliantly orchestrated by Mac with the help of three young volunteers.
With Smith taking the final bow with a traffic cone on her head, ahead a communal slosh that has the audience on its feet, this year’s Peter Pan is a pantomime that makes sure its love of Glasgow shines through.
Runs until 5 January 2025. Tickets here.
