There’s a sense that panto season is beginning to overlap with A Christmas Carol season. No disrespect to Dickens’ classic, but it feels like every regional, West End, and touring company is staging Scrooge’s tale, which can feel a bit heavy at times. (I could catch three versions of A Christmas Carol locally!) There’s room for both traditions, however, and the Mercury Theatre offers a lively antidote with this year’s panto—a sort of sequel to Peter Pan. In this tale, Captain Hook survives his encounter with the crocodile after being unceremoniously vomited up. Now bent on revenge, this traditional panto promises all the elements needed for a cracking family night out.
For Colchester audiences, much of the magic lies in the dynamic partnership of Anthony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville, returning for their ninth pantomime together as Sherry Smee and her son Smee. Stuart-Hicks, in my opinion, is the best Dame in the business, and his knack for heckling his own audience is a masterclass in comedic timing (I’m always relieved I’m not in the first couple of rows!). Superville’s physical comedy is showcased brilliantly in his role as little mermaid Persil, with the entire house erupting in laughter as he hilariously struggles to climb onto a rock. It’s just one of many standout moments in a show that delivers pure, unadulterated joy.
The ensemble doesn’t let Hicks and Superville take all the glory though. Jazz Eveans is a wonderful, Hugh Grant imbued, camp Captain Hook, Sasha Lotoya a feisty Tinkerbell, with excellent vocals, and Alexandra Barredo a perfect Wendy. Entering with no fanfare, David Breeds is a high energy Peter Pan, capturing his condescending attitude towards women perfectly, and the chorus and dancers are well drilled and have enormous fun. A special mention must go to the creative team, the workshop has created wonderful sets, and, together with the lighting, gives the stage even more depth, and the costume team have, once again, excelled themselves. For that alone, the show is great value for money.
It can be tricky to review pantomime, as the main requirement is that certain tropes are delivered, and analysis of the text is not a necessary requirement! If I’m going to be very critical, the first half is a little overlong, and the score doesn’t contain many “bangers” that a wide range of ages would know. But the maritime Twelve Days of Christmas is genius and hilarious, (script by Davis Phipps-Davis), and the singalong contains the word poo, delighting the young audience! The show is also directed by Anthony Stuart Hicks, and he brings his wealth of experience to this, and it’s not just a panto. Looking at the faces of the children in the audience, it’s theatrical magic, and a wonderful first time theatre experience.
Written by David Phipps-Davis
Directed by Anthony Stuart-Hicks.
Cast: Alexandra Barredo, Nick Brittain, David Breeds, Jazz Evans, Sasha Laytoya, Shelby Speed, Anthony Sturt-Hicks, Dale Superville.
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes with an interval.
Review by Paul T. Davies
30th November 2024