All New Adventures of Peter Pan At Lichfield Garrick Theatre Review

Reviewed by Liz Squires

Having had the pleasure of experiencing my first ever pantomime at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, it is safe to say I was absolutely blown away, by the performance of the team during the production of ‘Peter Pan’. I came away with pain in my cheeks and ribs from the side-splitting hilarity of the entire evening. From terrible ‘dad’ jokes to off script comical disasters, every minute of the show was filled with laughter.

This bright and beautiful production tells the familiar story of Peter Pan and the daughter of Tootles AKA Mr Sweet (David McKechnie) and Wendy (Joanne Heywood), embarking on a magical fairy tale adventure to Neverland, where no one ever grows up. Peter (Marcus Billany) takes Elizabeth (Maria Conneely) to Neverland to become the Lost Boy’s new mother when she finds herself having to rescue Tinkerbell (Amy Murchison) from the dastardly fiendish Captain J Hook (also played by David McKechnie) and his terrible band of pirates (Molly Francis, Daniel Boardman and Dominic Stevenson).

Needless to say, a panto wouldn’t be a panto without the Dame; Mrs Smee was fabulously played by Sam Rabone whom also directed the production to perfection. His ability to engage the audience, his sarcasm and his humour was on form this evening, even managing to humour himself on occasion.

Audience participation is essential for the panto and my 9 year old boy and husband found themselves drawn in to the experience whole heartedly. My son was invested immediately and my husband called out for not believing in fairies, despite it being my son that was the one who refused to say he did. The spotlight was well and truly on my husband for a moment and in front of 500 people he had to admit that he did indeed believe. I was incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to see this pantomime and cannot recommend highly enough that every man and his dog go to see this version of Peter Pan, even Nanna was perfectly played and offered a hysterical element to the show.

The set and costumes designed by Helga Wood were wonderful and the choreography by the legendary Simon Barnum was well executed, there was a depth to the set that felt more authentic than some of the other productions I’ve seen despite the light hearted nature of it being a pantomime, there was variety and the props were innovative, showing the diversity of the creativity within the theatrical world.

The Lichfield Garrick Theatre is an intimate venue that oozes warmth and a welcoming atmosphere. Both my son and my husband commented on how lovely and welcoming all the staff were, every member of the team was there to help no matter how big or small the request. I usually judge a venue based on cleanliness, helpfulness of staff and accessibility but most of all how expensive their tiny tubs of ice cream are. The Lichfield Garrick Theatre so far is top of my list for venues with a tub of ice cream only costing around £2.25, whereas, other venues charge double that.

The theatre is incredibly easy to access with a multi storey car park on Birmingham Road WS13 6FA road (height restricted to 1.9m) that is free of charge after 6.30 PM, and the train station only a few 100 yards down the road, making it one of the most accessible and cheapest venues I have attended to date.
Covid measures are not as stringent at the theatre as previously experienced, however, a one-way system to the toilets and masks in the bars and foyer area has been implemented and is enforced. There is no need to show a covid pass and I did not see any hand sanitising facilities, but that may have just been where I was standing at the time.

This has been by far the easiest review I have written and has required no thinking at all. From start to finish everything about the evening was just phenomenal. Thank you so much to the Lichfield Garrick Production Company with Evolution Pantomimes for making my son and I’s first experience of pantomime both magical and memorable.

Rated: 5/5

‘All New Adventures of Peter Pan’ is at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Castle Dyke, Lichfield, WS13 6HR from 25th November – 2nd January 2022, Tickets cost from £13 (plus £1 transaction fee) and can be obtained here: www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling 01543 412121.