"Peter Pan" by Spotlight Theatre

Nottingham Arts Theatre

Based on the J.M. Barrie classic story of the boy that never grew up, it's been adapted by Amanda Hall. I've always loved the Peter Pan story, and it provides a special warmth to your inner self when performed by younger actors. This isn't the panto version, nor is it the musical version; it's the play version with a bit of added music.

Everyone knows the story of the Darling children who meet Peter Pan one night when their parents are out, when Peter comes looking for his shadow. Peter takes Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland so that Wendy can be their mother, sew pockets on and tell them stories. Captain Hook wants to get rid of Peter and the Lost Boys once and for all, and in this story, lures Wendy away to be a pirate - as she said that she had always wanted to be one - which in turn lures Peter to the rescue. Throw in some mermaids and a ticking crocodile, and you have a magical piece of theatre, not just for the kids.

I've seen George Young a few times in various stage guises and, although I didn't recognise him straight away as Mr Darling, or Captain Hook, the penny dropped when I saw the programme for the show. As always George shows great confidence and the ability to get into a character, especially with Captain Hook. He reminded me of the Tim Curry version of Captain Hook. I think it was a few years ago now when I saw George playing The Cat In The Hat in "Seussical", and he has gone from strength to strength.

Stephanie Boosh as Cookson and Mrs Darling, showed of a really lovely and mature singing voice when performing "No Place Like Home" and reminded be a little of Dolores O'Riordan, the late lead singer of The Cranberries with her slight lilt on her singing voice.

The three Darling children were played by Lois Stevenson (Wendy), Preston Nash (John) and Bella McGart (Michael) and gelled well together as a trio. Liza/Noodles was played by Megan Holder, looking very grown up as the children's nanny.

Our hero, Peter Pan, was played by another young actor who I've seen before, Zach Silcock. Zach, I last saw performing about fifteen months ago with the virtual Christmas Concert that the Arts Theatre put on. I also remember his performance as the street-wise kangaroo in "Seussical" with George Young. Zach plays Pan as a typical young teenager, quite cocky and slightly arrogant, but great fun and, again with great confidence. Another young man who I can see going on to greater things on local stages. I hope that he chooses to take on more musicals as he has a voice that, when trained and fully developed, I think will wow the audiences in the right musical.

Another pair who I have seen on stage before were Finlay Tomlinson (Smee) and Jason Thompson (Starkey). Finlay I can also remember from being a cheeky monkey, one of The Wickersham Brothers, in the 2019 performance of "Seussical", has developed a little niche for playing comedy roles, and I'd love to see him develop this in the future as I feel he has a talent for straight-faced comedy; I have certainly enjoyed what he did today as Smee and what I've seen him produce before. Jason I can remember from last year's production of "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat", playing one of Joseph's brothers, Gad.

I must also give a mention to Esme McCart for her brilliant part as the Crocodile. I've never seen a cuter crocodile ever!

There was a whole shed load of young actors on stage playing either pirates, mermaids or Lost Boys, all of whom looked like they were having great fun, which made us feel like having the same in the audience.

This fun production was directed by Jess Hardy-Turner, who I imagined had great fun with the story, maybe not as much fun handling the large 40 strong cast. A wonderfully enjoyable result though.

Musical Director was Sam Griffiths, so with Sam involved, you knew that this area would be covered confidently. And what an inspired choice to close the show with the cast singing Imagine Dragons' song "Believer", which really showed off the cast's vocal talents, as well as the drama in the song.

This particular ending also highlighted the choreography by Beth Wear and Sophie Petruccio-Hall, which had been shown throughout the production to be rather good as well!

Great costumes, and when you think of how many were in the cast, that is a lot of work to source or make them, and nice use of props.

The Sound and Lighting Design was by the talented technical twosome, Peter Hodgkinson and Oliver Read.