THE BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome never fails to take pantomime to new heights and it literally did that with this year’s offering – Peter Pan.

Billed on the programme as ‘The High Flying Panto Adventure’, the show – from the moment the curtain went up – produced a series of ‘WOW’ moments, one after another.

As you looked around the auditorium, there were children (and even adults) opened mouthed as this clearly massive money production seemed to make the impossible possible.

From characters flying and a car that took to the air, there was also a moving ship, plenty of fire, flame, smoke, glitter and a giant crocodile – it was everything any Director could ever dream of (or up for that matter).

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But it wasn’t just the glitz, glamour and special effects, for a successful panto you also need plenty of fun and laugh out loud moments to suit all ages and tastes and this highly talented cast delivered it all.

Unlike other pantos, the plot was interrupted so a multitude of jokes and sketches could be performed and the show was better for it (the dame even sang a song outlining the point).

Cian Hughes as John Darling and Olly Jupe who played Michael Darling were suitably cute as the children – and acted perfectly throughout.

Rhiannon Chesterman was strong as the older sister Wendy and, likewise Noah Harrison was fantastic as Peter Pan, playing it with the right amount of ‘lovable hero with a touch of ego’. Billie-Kay was terrific as Tink – portraying the character’s kind nature and her jealous streak. The whole cast were excellent on their solos but Billie-Kay took the vocal range to a new level. She was pitch-perfect and never missed a note.

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Danny Mac made for a wonderful Captain Hook – not many actors can get the balance right between evil and camp but he rose to the challenge and roused the audience into giving him plenty of boos in return.

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Alison Hammond was a magnificent Magical Mermaid, loving every minute of being back on stage in her home city. She, in her glitzy outfit, performed well – both comically and during her musical performances. She received plenty of cheers everytime she entered the fray.

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Andrew Ryan made the role of panto dame Mrs Sylvia Smee his own, performing a fantastic solo of I Am What I Am and arriving on stage in numerous nautical outfits throughout – each one more outrageous than the last. The number of glitzy, sea-themed outfits must have been in double figures by the time the curtain came down. As with the special effects for the director, this was every panto dame’s dream wardrobe.

He also pushed the double entendre boundaries (which all good pantos do) to the limit – between him and the genius that is Matt Slack – they created easily the most risquee panto I have seen this season.

And what can we say about Slack? As well as co-adapting the scrip with Harry Michaels, he performed his role of Mr Smee impeccably throughout, delivering every single one-liner on-point and relishing in an unrivalled amount of audience interaction. This Birmingham panto crowd loves highly talented comedian Matt Slack and he loves them back just as much in return (and you can see why). There were so many hilarious moments in this show, from the ‘magic box’ to two scenes which were almost like ‘one-man stand-up shows’ within this show that you would have happily paid extra to watch. In the first he told a story, punning his way through a series of flags and in the second he sang The Proclaimers’ classic about 500 miles with almost as many impressions as miles in the song – performing each line in a different voice. Anyone who has even attempted one accent will know what a feat that must have been.

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There was a nice touch too – in this, the Hippodrome’s 125th anniversary – when Slack and Ryan performed a song (to the tune of the Can Can) referencing the countless shows which had graced its stage.

A big shout-out to the dancers who were also faultless in all their – clearly monotonously rehearsed – routines.

It is not an understatement to say this panto – the biggest outside London – was expertly directed by Michael Harrison and his team and had everything and more and you will struggle to see a better one this Yuletide.

Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome runs until February 2. There is plenty of time to catch it – click here for times, tickets and more.

*****

Review by Tristan Harris