The Pantomime Adventures Of Peter Pan At Mayflower Southampton Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Lilybean Davis
The crowds were out in force last night in Southampton, all eagerly awaiting the press night for the latest panto, Peter Pan, at the beautiful Mayflower Theatre. With plenty of sparkle, sequins and lots of silliness it simply ticked all the boxes for this beloved festive tradition.
From the moment the curtain rose we knew we were in for a treat, both adults and children alike.
Visually, Peter Pan is a masterpiece. Bright, flashing lights and bursts of pyrotechnics all add to the experience and audience members were left not knowing where to look next.
As always at Mayflower Theatre, we were treated to an all-star cast with the fabulous Alexandra Burke taking the lead as Captain Hook joined by Dr Ranj as the magical merman and the hilarious Max Fulham as the delightful Smee. Joined by Rhiannon Chesterman as Wendy, Noah Harrison as Peter Pan and Carly Joan Furlong as Tink, the show is a powerhouse of vocal abilities.
Peter Pan is at the heart of the production, full of youthful enthusiasm and excitability. Alongside the energetic Wendy these two are a delight. Add the audience favourite Tink into the equation and you have a wonderful leading trio.
Max Fulham was a name I wasn’t overly familiar with before the show but he won’t be forgotten in a hurry. As Smee he simply stole every scene he was in with clever one liners and perfect comedic timing. His ventriloquist act was first class and he had the whole audience roaring with laughter each time he spoke. An absolute superstar and comic triumph, he is a fantastic addition to the cast and I hope will return again!
No panto would be complete without the villain of the show and Alexandra Burke does a wonderful job of portraying the menacing, powerful and mean Captain Hook. Given the opportunity to showcase her spectacular vocals the audience were witness to the reason she has sold so many albums! Despite playing such a strong character, we got a glimpse of the real superstar during the hilarious act half way through involving a bendy fishing rod and an electric eel. We won’t mention “health and safety” but the audience were in stitches.
The wonderful flying sequences which we have come to expect during Peter Pan are executed with precision with audible cheers as he flew through the air. The moment where Captain Hook meets his friend half way was a visual masterpiece and we all lapped it up!
Comedy is where this panto shows its worth. The script is full of hilarious one liners, enthusiastic audience participation and Southampton themed jokes. At times even the most reserved audience members were heard shouting boos and cheers to the villain with great enthusiasm.
Musical numbers were presented with precision and polish and the ensemble were strong throughout. With more costume changes than I could count they kept the production going one scene after another with clever upbeat choreography and high energy moments.
Peter Pan at Mayflower Theatre is a wonderful celebration of all things panto. It’s big, loud and fun and promises to give you everything you have come to see. Grab your tickets now before they fly out the window!
Rating: 5/5
Peter Pan is on at Mayflower Theatre from Saturday 13th December 2025 to Sunday 4 Jan 2026.
Tickets can be purchased at www.mayflower.org.uk
Tickets start at £19.50