Birmingham Hippodrome heads to Neverland this year for Peter Pan ('A High-flying Panto Adventure') with dazzling costumes, razzmatazz - and naturally the reigning King and Queen of Brummie Pantomime, Matt Slack and Alison Hammond, are in fine form. 

Alison returns to the Hippodrome after her triumphant first appearance last year. This time, she’s the Magical Mermaid, complete with glittering scales, a silver trident and a big grin. Appearing in Pantoland on home turf seems to agree with her - and the feeling is mutual, according to the cheers from the audience that greeted her every time she stepped on stage. 

Matt Slack is appearing in his eleventh consecutive Hippodrome pantomime. He’s practically part of the furniture these days - if said furniture provided a whirlwind of flag-based puns, audience interaction, and pitch-perfect impressions. This year, he’s the Pirate Smee, Hook’s second-in-command, and seems intent on corpsing his fellow stars at every opportunity.

Also returning to the stage is resident Andrew Ryan, as Smee’s mum, Sylvia. Sporting a practically perfect parade of piratical paraphernalia (look out for the fabulous Map dress - very demure) and bursting out singing at the drop of an extravagant hat. Danny Mac makes his second appearance at the Hippodrome panto as the dastardly Captain Hook, with scenery-chewing aplomb - just like the one-handed, croc-fearing villain should be, with a great solo number to boot.

Peter Pan himself was played by Noah Harrison, flying magically in his opening number - but someone else takes the levitating limelight later in the show… Wendy was played by Rhiannon Chesterman, and Billie-Kay opened the production with a magical musical number, in the role of Tink. The show dances past much of the story, with most of J M Barrie’s original tale relegated to being told during the showstopping musical numbers. Even Andrew Ryan’s Dame ends up asking the question “Whatever happened to the plot?”

The show is technically extravagant, with excellent music from Musical Director Robert Willis and his live band. The set and costume are dazzling, designed by Mark Walters and Mike Coltman respectively, enhanced by the troop of dancers who appear in every number, with choreography by Karen Bruce. There’s also an epic appearance from Hook’s true nemesis - the fearsome crocodile - which sets the tone for the scale and substance of the production. 

It’s hardly surprising that Birmingham’s biggest pantomime reached record sales last year, and with Matt Slack’s funnyman credentials (he also lends a hand to adapt the script) and Alison, the Belle of Birmingham, this year’s show surely won’t disappoint.

Five Stars

Peter Pan was reviewed on Monday 23 December by Jessica Clixby, at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Sunday 2 February.