The festive season is off to a flying start as Rowntree Players bring us the magical Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan.
Writers Howard Ella and Gemma McDonald return with another strong script for the residents of York and beyond, supported by a talented cast, creative team and crew.
This year’s show opts for a slower burn than usual; replacing the usual dazzling opening with a steadier start, allowing anticipation to build and a journey unlike any other to begin. As a result, the show, and Ella’s direction, grows wonderfully throughout.
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre from Saturday 6 to Saturday 13 December.
The overture of a pantomime is always a taste of what’s to come, and Sam Johnson and his talented band deliver a whistle-stop tour of this year’s diverse soundtrack. From the newly named ‘Pink Pirate Club’ to musical-movie favourite ‘A Million Dreams’, and not forgetting an unparalleled Shakira tribute act, there truly is something for everyone; Johnson and co handle each hit with ease.
The laughs come thick and fast from the moment our dynamic duo, the McFleas, burst onstage. Gemma McDonald takes on her usual silly sidekick role, one this pantomime simply couldn’t function without. Teaming up with her bonkers mother Michael Cornell, returning again as our dame, results in a partnership destined for perfection.
And then there’s Jamie McKeller also returning for this year’s tale, swapping his Deathly Dark Tours for a stroll along the plank as our villain Captain Hook. Fierce and flamboyant, he’s everything you want from a panto baddie. And with trusty Smee (Sophie Bullivant) and Gloria (Claire Horsley) by his side, the trio deliver excellent scene work, audience interaction, and a few devilishly delicious musical numbers.
Among this year’s cast is YorkMix’s own Laura Castle, bringing fierce feminist energy to Tiger Lily. Her act two opener, ‘Hero’, shook any post-ice-cream slouch out of the audience, leaving them instantly ready to re-join the party. Completing the principal line-up was a powerhouse group of women: Hannah King as a headstrong and optimistic Peter Pan, Sarah Howlett’s sassy and self-assured Tinkerbell, and Eva Howe as adventurous Wendy, whose vocals were a particular delight.
But the strength at Rowntree Players always comes in numbers. ‘One Day More’ is a standout vocal moment, while ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat’ allows Ami Carter’s choreography, and the principal dancers, to shine. When the full cast floods the stage, the result is nothing short of panto magic.
While there were a couple of minor technical hitches, the production as a whole is of a high standard. Anna Jones’ set design is a genuine pleasure to behold; in a theatre world increasingly reliant on projections and technical advances, the hand-painted backdrops feel refreshing and beautifully executed. The construction and costume teams deserve huge credit for creating a pantomime playground of dreams.
This pantomime is all about bringing something magical to the community and giving everyone involved something to feel proud of. And they certainly should feel proud, what a brilliant way to start your Christmas celebrations.
Grab your tickets now and take a flight with Peter Pan you’ll never forget. With limited seats, you’ll need to snap them up quick!
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs until Saturday 13 December. Tickets start from £20 and are available via the Joseph Rowntree Theatre website.
