Writer: James M. Barrie

Music: Mark Charlap

Lyrics: Carolyn Leigh

Additional Music: Jule Styne

Additional Lyrics: Betty Comden & Adolph Green

Director: David Fleeshman

Reviewer: Malcolm Wallace

The Public Reviews Rating:

As an alternative to the traditional pantomime stagings of J M. Barrie’s much loved tale of the boy who never grew up, Pele Productions Peter Pan at the Lowry is based upon a 1954 Broadway musical version and at bang on two hours from start to finish it’s the ideal Christmas treat for the whole family.

The story of Peter Pan’s adventures in Never Never Land with Wendy Darling, her brothers, the Lost Boys, Indians and a bunch of evil pirates led by the crocodile fearing Captain Hook, is well known and in this production is simplified but kept snappy and fast paced by director David Fleeshman.

The set, provided by Scenic Projects, is bright and colourful and effective in creating the right atmosphere for this magical tale. There is also an excellent lighting design by Derek Jones.

In the title role seventeen year old Thomas Law, a recognisable face from Eastenders, has energy and stage presence in abundance but, maybe due to lack of experience, lets himself down by gabbling his lines and it’s unfortunate that he can’t sing very well. Brian Capron, an experienced villain, excels as Captain Hook and relishes every boo and hiss the audience throw at him. Sarah Jayne Dunn (complete with ridiculous wig) is massively underused as Mrs Darling, but she possesses a nice singing voice and has a lovely manner with the younger cast members in her few scenes.

Of the supporting cast Julia Makarova is particularly worthy of praise for her aerial acrobatics which have to be seen to be believed. The remaining cast, including all the children, are a hard working bunch who all enter into the spirit of the fun and really make the most of Ian Meeson’s interesting choreography.

Without a doubt though, the star of this show is the thirteen piece orchestra under the expert direction of Robert Bannon. Christmas shows are notorious for scrimping on the music, or increasingly abandoning live music altogether, so it’s a thrill and a relief to hear this excellent Broadway score being belted out by an orchestra of such high calibre.

Peter Pan – The Musical Adventure is by far the best Christmas show the Lowry has staged in a long time and if this is the quality we can expect from Pele Productions in the future then, like Peter himself, it’s a company that should fly high and soar for many years to come.

Runs until 1st January 2010

Peter Pan: The Musical Adventure – The Lowry, Salford, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Tags: Brian Capron, Captain Hook, David Fleeshamn, JM Barrie, Musical, Pele Productions, Peter Pan, Sarah Jayne Dunn, The Lowry, Thomas Law