Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Southampton Mayflower Theatre
COMIC calamity and slap-stick humour induced many laughs as the brilliant show Peter Pan Goes Wrong opened at Southampton Mayflower Theatre on Tuesday.
An uproarious theatrical experience that had my 12-year-old daughter laughing almost continuously for the two-hour plus show duration, the production in which everything goes wrong was executed with masterful precision by the brilliantly talented cast.
On stage at Southampton Mayflower Theatre until Saturday 28th October, the comic masterpiece is then set to move on to London’s West End Lyric Theatre for the Christmas Season.
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, this production takes the much loved story of Peter Pan and turns everything upside down, creating a hilarious and chaotic evening of entertainment.
The premises is that the uncles of one of the cast members has donated £80,000 to the society, so the cast and crew decide to spare no expense on a lavish production of J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” After previous mishaps, surely this will be the show to put the cast and crew on the map!
However, (and predictably given the title) from the moment the curtain rises, the audience is plunged into a world of missteps, mishaps, and mayhem. As chaos ensues much of the hilarity relies on the fact that the brilliant cast resolutely carry on regardless – all in the face of an array of broken props, incorrect sound effects and lighting, missed cues, and precarious scenery. The sheer dedication and commitment to their characters and continuing the show despite electrocutions, adultery and array of cast injuries, is to be utterly commended!
The principal cast including Ciara Morris (as Sandra who plays Wendy), The Toksvig-Stewart (as Max who plays Michael Darling and the Crocodile), Gareth Tempest (as Jonathan who plays Peter Pan), Clark Devin (as Dennis who plays John Darling) and Jack Michael Stacey (as Chris playing Mr Darling and Captain Hook) and a number of others, were universally superb demonstrating a seamless comedic chemistry between their respective characters.
Throughout the production slap stick and physical comedy are plentiful as actors get tangled in stage rigging, crushed under props, propelled into the scenery and unwillingly exposed in their undergarments! The fast moving scenes and constantly moving actor means there is never a lull in the action.
The brilliant devised set also plays a pivotal role in the chaos, with its many hidden traps and faulty mechanisms. The final scene with the revolving sets created a suitably spectacular finale to a fabulous show.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is an October half term treat that is guaranteed to amuse and entertain, whilst being suitable for all generations. Catch it at Southampton Mayflower Theatre this week ahead of its West End run! For tickets visit www.mayflower.org.uk
