Review: Peter Pan Pantomime at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre*

We love heading to Pantos, as for us, it somehow feels so festive! We were recently invited to enjoy an evening at the theatre to watch the opening night of Peter Pan at  Stafford Gatehouse Theatre with my whole family; my husband, my 10-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son and 5-year-old son. We were stacked with sweets and treats and collected our comfy cushions (that the theatre provided for kids so they can see over the top of adults that may be sat in front of them) and prepared ourselves to watch the classic tale of Peter Pan.

I am sure most of you out there are familiar with Peter Pan by JM Barrie and this performance pretty much followed the same storyline as the original, along with a sprinkle of magic Pantomime fairy dust. As with all Pantos, you had a Star, Villain, Dame and the typical comedy character often called Buttons in many a show.

Prime Pantomime was in charge this year of the production of the performance, which was a much more traditional show from the last eight years at Stafford Gatehouse. The company are based in London and have another four Pantomimes performing in other parts of the country this year, keep reading to hear what we thought of Peter Pan last night.

What we thought

This Panto delivers everything you would expect, such as comedy, enthusiastically performed characters and lots of singing. But unlike their Rock and Roll Panto where all the performers also play instruments, which adds so much depth to the Panto, the music was simply produced by a keyboard and electronic drum set played in the backstage area of the performance. That being said minus the music it was still full of fun and laughter.

Peter Pan had all the classic characters, with the iconic role of Hook played by Ian Reddington, who you may recognise from Coronation Street, Eastenders, The Bill and also Doctors, as well as many films. He really is a quality actor and on the night was a stand out performer playing a fun and typical Panto Villain – filling the theatre with plenty of boos! Corey Jones had the leading role of Peter Pan, and flew back and forth across the stage, assisted by magical strings! But my favourite character of the night was that of Tinker-bell who had the most amazing voice and belted out some comical tunes during the course of the evening.

Other characters included Wendy, John and Micheal as well as Princess Tiger Lily who was also Mrs Darling and a Lost Boy. The rest of the lost boys were played by children, who were brilliant. They were great dancers and plenty of scenes in which to wow the audience with their talent. Smee was the Buttons character and told us cracker jokes that had the audience laughing, and a Dame who had plenty of comedic costumes changes through the night.

Our favourite scenes as a family was a moment when the actors were all in the sea (which was a blue cloth dragged across the stage!) with the Croc. They performed a synchronised swimming act paired with music you’d expect to hear at the Ballet. It was a really fun moment and had us all laughing out loud. We also loved the details on the sets, they had great bits of lighting and beautifully painted curtains that really helped you visualise where the characters were during each moment of the Panto.

This is a great evening out and is a lovely family event over the Christmas period, but it lacked some of the fun and musical accompaniment that you get with their long-standing Rock and Roll Pantos, that have been performed in previous years at Stafford Gatehouse such as Robin Hood or Dick Whittington. Regardless of this, you’ll still have a lovely evening at a cosy and friendly venue. See further down in our review on how to book tickets.

Cast
Peter Pan – Corey Jones
Hook – Ian Reddington
Wendy – Charlotte Fishwick
John – Kieran Morris
Mrs. Smee (Dame) – Dereck Walker
Starkey (comic) – James Dangerfield
Tinker Bell – Sasha Latoya
Tiger Lily – Natalie Harman

Director – Gerry Tebbutt
Choreographer – Xena Gusthart
Musical Director – Connagh Tonkinson
LX Designer – Andrew Ellis

What’s great about the Gatehouse?

The Gatehouse is in the centre of Stafford and is in a beautiful old building with amazing architecture. The inside is pretty modern but is a cosy theatre with a more intimate feel. What I also love about this Theatre is the fact that all their snacks and drinks are reasonably priced which means when you’re part of a big family like ours you can still treat them to things like slushies and chocolates without breaking the bank. It has a lovely atmosphere and lots of friendly staff to help make the experience that bit more special.

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £18.50 to £25 (concessions and group discount available).

How do I book tickets to watch Peter Pan at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre?

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting their website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will start on Friday, 13 December 2019 and will run until Sunday, 5 January 2020.  The evening shows will run at either 5pm or 6.30pm while the matinee shows will be shown at 1pm or 2pm. There will also be a relaxed and signed performance as well.

Where is Stafford Gatehouse Theatre?

Stafford Gatehouse is an old Victorian theatre for professional and amateur shows, including Shakespeare and children’s plays. In 2007, the Borough Hall was reopened as Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The Borough Hall was originally opened on 20 June 1877 and the building once housed Stafford Borough Council.

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
Eastgate Street
Stafford
ST16 2LT
Tel: 01785 619080

Where to park?

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre is in the heart of Stafford, just seconds from the main shopping centre and central tourist attractions. It is less than 10 minutes drive from Junctions 13 and 14 of the M6 and can be found by following the theatre mask symbols on routes into the town centre. There are ample parking facilities a short walk away from the theatre and cycle racks are available outside the building.

Review by: Lex Ward

You may want to read this:

Review: Sleeping Beauty Panto at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent

Review: The Prince and the Pauper at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Review: Peter Pan the High-Flying Pantomime Adventure at Crewe Lyceum

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Photo credit: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre