I
Believe In Fairies!
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Darlington
Civic Theatre
Tuesday 3rd February to Sunday 8th February
2015.
Mischief
Theatre return to Darlington Civic with a Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry
Shields penned comedy in which ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ are
attempting to stage J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan. After the
hysterical ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
hopes were high for the sequel and the audience were not disappointed.
The
society have been given a generous donation so they can put on a “proper
Christmas children’s vignette” to replace the low budget panto, such as ‘Jack and the Magic Bean’. The show does
not start as planned as a much older student, Robert (Cornelius Booth), was
having to play young Michael Darling.
They
have the motto that the show must go on – regardless of health and safety
violations - and the cast are quickly put through their dangerous paces. They
get stuck in doors, trip over toys and struggle to enjoy bedtime – and that’s
just in the first 15 minutes. Laughter is a constant sound in the auditorium as
the carefully crafted comedy unfolds.
Whilst
the first show satirised the murder-mystery, this production salutes the pantos
and Christmas children’s shows that take themselves far too seriously. It is
suitable for all the family as the wardrobe malfunctions are always funny
rather than naughty. It was great to hear both younger and older members of the
audience sharing the jokes.
Many
of the laughs are a result of the actors sticking to a script and not adapting
to the fact that something has gone wrong or a prop isn’t available. Laurence
Pears plays the role of straight laced director perfectly. Leonie Hill does a
great job of overacting the role of Wendy with sufficient charm whilst Naomi Sheldon
performs numerous high speed costume changes with aplomb. The underdogs get the
audience on their side and the roles of Max (Matt Cavendish) and Lucy (Rosie
Abraham) help give the show that panto feel as they regularly get the audience
involved in the second half.
Rather
than repeat the disasters of the previous show, the Kenny Wax produced show has
new bundle of problems to challenge the actors and, in turn, entertain the
audience.
This
is a great production that is packed with laughs. It is only February and we
may already have seen the funniest show of the year.
A
donation from every ticket sold for Peter Pan Goes Wrong is given to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR
(www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen
@panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Tickets:
Peter Pan Goes Wrong runs at Darlington
Civic Theatre from Tuesday February 3 to Sunday February 8. Tickets* are priced
from £17.
To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or
visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
*Includes
a £1 restoration levy
No comments:
Post a Comment