by Sarah Becker
Think panto is just for kids? Think again. This year’s Christmas panto at the Royal & Derngate, whisks you into a magical world so joyful, so gloriously absurd, it might just outshine real life.
★★★★★
Families, friends and fun-seekers — if you want to forget your troubles for two hours and be transported to a world of iconic characters, slapstick comedy, fantastic singing and wonderful sets, then this year’s Christmas production, The All New Adventures of Peter Pan at the Royal & Derngate, is well worth checking out.
A collaboration between Royal & Derngate and Evolution Productions, the show picks up where J.M. Barrie’s tale ends, following the further adventures of Peter Pan in Foreverland.
Trouble is brewing as Peter Pan (David Breeds) and the Lost Boys and Girls race to find a bottle containing the “Essence of Pantomime” before Captain Hook (John Thomson) and his pirates get wind of it. Hook, naturally, is determined to smash it to smithereens and put an end to all singing, dancing, joy and laughter.
Fortunately for us, it takes a while to get to that point — because along the way we’re treated to a riot of fun, music, dancing and all-round top quality family entertainment.
The action begins in an orphanage. Pantomime Dame, Mrs Sweet, is played by veteran pantomime dame and co-director Gordon Cooper, who delivers even more costume changes than last year’s Cinderella — each bigger, brighter and more outlandish than the last.
The scene then shifts to a pirate ship, where the Lost Boys and Girls are transformed into pirates, led by evil villain Captain Hook (John Thomson) and from there both groups set off on a madcap mission to find the Essence of Pantomime, before the other.
This year’s cast are so perfectly placed and so strong that the whole pantomime felt as tight as a drum.
Gordon Cooper was brilliant as ever as Mrs Sweet. Playing a classic dame this year, he hasn’t lost any of his sass or sense of mischief, gleefully picking on “poor Colin” in the audience with a twinkling glint in his eye. A seasoned pantomime performer and co-director of the show, his dame held the whole ship together as breezily as his rapid-fire costume changes.
His slapstick routine with Charlie (Oliver Scott), in which the pair attempt to make handmade artisan ice-cream, was a highlight — and, shall we say, didn’t quite go to plan. I was in stitches; I swear I was laughing harder than the kids I brought with me. It was pure, old-school physical comedy at its finest.
Another running gag saw the duo fire off 43 jokes about films across the decades. Some of the references flew thick and fast, and a few cheeky nods (including a blitz of ’80s and 90s film jokes) may have gone over the children’s heads, but they landed beautifully with the adults. The slapstick, however, captured everyone’s attention — good old-fashioned cake-in-the-face chaos, squirty cream and perfectly timed falls had every member of the family howling.
Millie Davies was sublime as Poppy Sunshine — she oozed otherworldly charm from every pore and her singing transported us to another stratosphere. John Thomson, as Captain Hook, was the perfect foil, giving us a villain performed with such relish that we were all booing along with total joy. He managed to create a pretty rounded villain, capturing the essence of Terry Thomas with villainy of a true pantomime scoundrel.
Oliver Scott, as Charlie, is a seasoned panto comic who worked incredibly hard and delivered charismatic warmth — as comforting as a hot chocolate on a cold night. The audience were completely in his hands. David Breeds as Peter, Georgia Brierley-Smith as Tink and George Webster as George, all just felt so right in their roles.
Even the Lost Boys and Girls were a joy to watch; their singing and dancing were full of energy and fun. Simone Robinson and her gang of mermaids also sparkled, delivering strong vocals — and her infectious laugh was a show in itself.
And the songs?
From “Proud Mary” (Rolling on the River) to Wicked’s “Defying Gravity, and a fresh version of Cell Block Tango, the musical numbers were superbly sung throughout. The choices felt perfect for the show, and the clever lyric tweaks gave them a fresh twist.
My only complaint? More songs, please.
Let’s talk about the set.
There were genuine “wow” moments, particularly when Tink (Georgia Brierley-Smith) and Poppy Sunshine (Millie Davies) flew across the night sky. The holographic worked beautifully, giving the whole production a modern, immersive feel, as did a set that shimmied! Water pistols and bubbles added to the sense that the audience were part of the adventure. The scenes were bold, bright and beautiful backdrops to the action.
All I can say is this: if you haven’t rediscovered panto since you were a child, perhaps it’s time. You’ll find your inner child gazing in wonder as you’re transported to a magical, joyous world. If only life could be that magical.
It wasn’t only the children gazing in rapt attention throughout.
The All New Adventures of Peter Pan is showing at The Royal & Derngate until 31st December 2025. Tickets are available from: https://royalandderngate.co.uk/