The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan
Edinburgh Festival Theatre | Capital Theatre Edinburgh | December 2023 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The traditional Edinburgh King's Theatre panto is this year again is staged at its temporary home in the beautiful Festival Theatre. If anything, the larger theatre allows the Capital's panto to be bigger, brighter and bolder than ever. The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan (or Peter Panto as it's affectionately known) is spectacular.
The lighting both on, and around the stage, and across the whole auditorium is sensational. The sets and costumes are dazzling. The sound is impeccable. And some of the special effects are simply breathtaking. This is easily the most visually stunning, beautiful, lavish panto I've ever seen. I think I said "wow" out loud at least 10 times.
Telling the well-known tale of Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell (Tink) and Captain Hook, this Peter Panto is an adventure story with added sparkle, song and street dance! The stylish dance crew Flawless play Captain Hook's pirate crew in a clever, modern, bonus to the traditional panto set-up. Their slick moves and impressive acrobatics are a welcome addition to the swashbuckling tale.
There is a full cast of talent on stage, but the stars are undoubtedly panto favourites Allan Stewart (Mrs Smee) and Grant Stott (Captain Hook).
Allan Stewart is a theatre legend and one of my personal favourites. In his 25th year of playing the Panto Dame in Edinburgh, he is just as charismatic, saucy and completely fabulous as always. He's brilliant with the kids, but he always has a joke and wink for the adults too. His Dame is unparalleled. Long may he reign
Grant Stott takes obvious glee in playing the villain. Full of local football and Scottish culture jokes, he really knows how to provoke a reaction from the audience. He's a gloriously brilliant baddie. On the opposing side, fan favourite Jordan Young is an energetic and magnetic Smee; a welcome pal to all the kids in the audience.
Special mention to Rebecca Stenhouse (Tink). She's confident, engaging and projects so well in the huge auditorium. Her 'Neverland' is gorgeous. She's the perfect, panto fairy. A brilliant performance.
The whole company look like they're having the time of their lives on that stage and raucous laughter is never far away.
There is a wide range of music and song included in this production all gloriously provided by Andy Pickering and his world-class orchestra. From original musical theatre songs to modern movie and pop classics, the orchestra provide a superb soundtrack that really brings the adventure to life.
This production has everything I want from a Christmas panto: gorgeous sparkly costumes, amazing dancers, traditional panto humour with plenty of modern references, a bit of silliness, a lot of cheekiness and a ton of heart.
If you only see one panto in Edinburgh this year, make it the Capital's Peter Pan. I only worry that if you see it, you will be ruined for all other pantos in future. I'm going to say it again: spectacular.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📸 Production photography: Douglas Robertson
Peter Panto FACTS!
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes
The King’s Theatre, the traditional home of panto in Edinburgh, closed in summer 2022 for a 35.6 million capital redevelopment to improve facilities both onstage and off, preserve the heritage of 3 the beautiful building and ensure it's a fitting venue for the panto for years to come. In the meantime, the panto has found a new home at the Festival Theatre until Christmas 2024.
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The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan dates
Sat 25 Nov to Sun 31 Dec
Edinburgh Festival Theatre 0131 529 6000 / capitaltheatres.com
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan | Edinburgh Panto 2023 CAST
Allan Stewart – Mrs. McSmee
Grant Stott – Captain Hook
Jordan Young – Smee
Clare Gray – Starkey
Rebecca Stenhouse - Tink
Kieran Lynch - Peter Pan
Robyn Whyte – Wendy
Flawless – Pirates
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan review, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Capital Theatres, Edinburgh King's Theatre panto 2023.
🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.
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