Review: Peter Pan, The Hawth Theatre

By The Newsroom
Published 11th Dec 2016, 16:46 BST
Updated 14th Dec 2016, 13:57 BST
Hilary O'Neil (Mrs Darling), Emma Barton (Tinkerbell), Shaun Williamson (Captain Hook), Sam Lupton (Peter Pan), Michael J Batchelor (Mrs Smee). Picture by Paul ClappHilary O'Neil (Mrs Darling), Emma Barton (Tinkerbell), Shaun Williamson (Captain Hook), Sam Lupton (Peter Pan), Michael J Batchelor (Mrs Smee). Picture by Paul Clapp
Hilary O'Neil (Mrs Darling), Emma Barton (Tinkerbell), Shaun Williamson (Captain Hook), Sam Lupton (Peter Pan), Michael J Batchelor (Mrs Smee). Picture by Paul Clapp
They've done it again.

Every year the Hawth and Evolution productions seem to promise their 'biggest and most spectacular pantomime ever'. And every year they manage to pull it off.

Following the huge success of Jack and the Beanstalk, the same creative team are back with a show packed with bags of audience participation and spectacular special effects.

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Having seen a few panto productions of Peter Pan, I was sceptical. It never seems like a panto - unlike Sleeping Beauty, Cinderalla and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Shaun Williamson as Captain Hook. Picture by Paul ClappShaun Williamson as Captain Hook. Picture by Paul Clapp
Shaun Williamson as Captain Hook. Picture by Paul Clapp

But they won me over with a witty script, plenty of panto staples, great banter with the audience and a hugely likeable cast.

Emma Barton delivers a refreshing take on Tinkerbell. Instead of the usual sickly sweet voice we have a fiesty Eastender. Shaun Williamson is (maybe unintentionally) really likeable as Captain Hook, but the crowd still gave him plenty of obligatory boos.