REVIEW: Peter Pan, The New Victoria Theatre (From Basingstoke Gazette)

REVIEW: Peter Pan, The New Victoria Theatre

2:25pm Monday 19th December 2011 in Theatre By Emily Roberts

SINGING, dancing, cheesy jokes and audience participation are exactly what I expect from a Christmas pantomime, and it’s precisely what you’ll see at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre.

With an all-star line-up including EastEnders’ Steve McFadden as Captain Hook and The Only Way is Essex’s Harry Derbidge as Cabin Boy, the celebrity cast are welcomed on stage by huge cheers from the audience.

Although primarily aimed at entertaining children, there are a few jokes directed at the accompanying adults in the audience, who, I am sure, will reluctantly join in with the booing, hissing, clapping, singing and dancing, thanks to the persuasive powers of Smee, played by Andy Collins.

The pantomime offers a variety of comedy, acting and live music, including random hits sung throughout the show by a trio of women who lift the performance with their musical talent.

Steve McFadden is by far the most talented of the cast, perfect for the role of Captain Hook. Unfortunately he may be slightly upstaged by Harry Derbidge, who, gains the biggest cheers when he appears on stage but doesn’t really deserve them.

Delivering his lines like he is reading from the script, the ITV star prances around flicking his hair and living up to his camp stereotype, but fails to display any credible acting ability whatsoever.

However, his mere presence on stage is clearly enough for his fans in the audience who, on the night I attended, whooped every time he spoke.

Peter Pan, played by Amy Bird, delights the audience by flying across the stage, which has a magical, colourful and constantly changing set, perfect to capture the imagination of the watching children.

The story is regularly interrupted by traditional pantomime audience participation. At one point, I felt like I had been transported to a Butlins holiday camp as children took to the stage.

The highlight of the evening came in the interval when Barbara Windsor, who was watching the performance and joining in with all the audience participation, happily posed for a picture with me! A recording of her voice was even used during the show, adding to the numerous EastEnders jokes milked from Steve’s day job by the writers.

I think the key to enjoyment with pantomimes is to not take them too seriously. By the end I too was out of my seat dancing, laughing along to the one-liners and even stifling a giggle when Harry brought out his nail file! I am sure you will be too.

Tickets priced from £16.25 are available from the box office on 0844 871 7645 or online at atgtickets.com/woking.