Peter Pan at New Victoria Theatre, Woking Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Kelly Victoria
It’s panto time at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking and last night I had the most wonderful evening watching Peter Pan starring the charming Anton Du Beke and Paul Chuckle from the infamous Chuckle Brothers.
There really is nothing like the feeling of watching a panto with the theatre packed full to the rafters with happy children and families. The atmosphere was just wonderful and everyone was in full Christmas spirit as we waited in anticipation for a great night of festive fun and laughs. It’s safe to say that nobody was disappointed.
As with any good panto the show was filled with laughter, mayhem, high energy dance numbers and a trip literally through neverland.
The panto followed the traditional storyline of Peter Pan that we’ve all come to know and love. The start of the show was spectacular as we were introduced to Peter Pan (played by Archie Durrant) and taken to the iconic scene with the Darling children tucked up in their beds.
As we’re taken on a journey through the magical storyline, we’re treated to Peter and Tink flying through the air and plenty of magical scenes that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Archie Durrant played an adorable Peter Pan who easily won the audience over from the start with his boyish ways, high energy and vocal and dance skills that were unrivalled.
But alongside this, as you’d expect from any good panto there was plenty of high jinks and hilarity with the whole audience in fits of laughter throughout. There was a surprising amount of adult humour, but it was disguised cleverly to go over the heads of the young audience members.
From the 12 days of Christmas scene which saw the offerings being changed from the traditional ones that we usually hear, to toilet rolls, watering cans and a fairy for the tree – plus other random items. The cast were manically running up and down the stage and into the audience to retrieve their props in an attempt to keep up!
Paul Chuckle was hilarious as Starkey and his iconic comedic timing was second to none. Alongside Anton Du Beke as Smee they made the perfect duo. In particular, the audience loved the scene with Smee in a box with a cucumber and Starkey attempting a magic trick…
We were also treated to many belly laughs supplied by the hilarious panto dame Mrs Smee (played by Nigel Ellacott) who wore the most outrageously over the top costumes and humorously picked on her chosen audience member of the night “Mike” throughout the show.
The audience were elated to watch Anton Du Beke perform as Smee and he was greeted with the most rapturous reception each and every time he came on stage. Anton was funny, charming and dazzled us with his dance moves too. We were treated to a gorgeous ballroom dance scene where Anton donned his tailcoat and top hat and danced beautifully with the ensemble dancers
It’s safe to say that the whole audience had the most wonderful evening and definitely walked out of the theatre with their sides hurting from all of the laughter. But also, with that unbeatable magical and festive feeling that only panto can provide.
It’s safe to say that this panto is swashbuckling spectacular – oh yes it is!
Running from 8th December to 7th January book your tickets now for an evening of the most fantastic festive fun.
Tickets start from £13 and can be booked here – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/peter-pan/new-victoria-theatre/.
Rating: 4/5