4* REVIEW Peter Pan Birmingham Hippodrome

Our Score
Peter Pan Birmingham Hippodrome…

Set sail to Neverland until Jan 27th 2019 with the swashbuckling Pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.

After the sensational success of last years remarkable 5* mega-hit CINDERELLA with Beverley Knight & Danny Mac – they’d got a lot to live up to! I’ve rarely experienced a show so perfect.

The 2018 production by Michael Harrison & QDOS has magnificent dance numbers, an immersive intimate set, incredible spec acts, terrifying special effects and the magnetic energy and star drive of Matt Slack – the Birmingham Hippodrome’s comic saviour back for his 6th season.

  

Enjoy our HD audio / video review via YouTube:

Peter Pan had the audience in fits of laughter and amazement – what more can you ask for a family night out?! It’s cheeky, loud, brash and moves at 100MPH…

BOOK TICKETS HERE FOR PETER PAN!

The all-star line-up is led by Jimmy Osmond who is a triumph as Captain Hook. 

He’s quite brilliant and reaches the back of this enormous theatre effortlessly. A lifetime of experience on stage in front of your eyes. We even get to see this legend sing an Osmond finale medley. A joy to watch.

The show also stars Meera Syal – sadly superfluous & Union J’s Jaymi Hensley who is a beautiful looking Peter for his fans and, with help from the clever genius’ on sound, belts out the 11 O’clock numbers to huge applause.

Enjoy the sensational walk-down, bows and standing ovation…

One of the biggest hits of the night came from acrobatic-troupe The Timbuktu Tumblers. These guys have ludicrous balance & physical skills that added huge wow factor and variety to the show.

Cassie Compton brought a West End class as Wendy. A terrific star.

The show opens with a timely Poppins-esk theme. Just lovely, cosy and this proves that this production – the most successful in the UK – punches higher than the rest.

The ensemble are wonderful, as are the kids.

McHugh’s script is slinky. To worry about plot in panto is churlish and frankly pointless – it’s 2018! Give them what they want – and they do!

This show serves its purpose in moving quickly to keep the diverse audience of all ages constantly engaged. I could do without the horrific crocodile that “terrified” the ladies child in front of me at the bar. These are stories that spoil pantomime.

Back for his sixth consecutive Hippodrome pantomime, Birmingham’s most popular entertainer Matt Slack returns to his natural home to star as Smee (this year).

No matter how big the names on the poster – Slack is THE star. A deserved whopping one too!

Matt’s physical comedy, naughty shenanigans, ad-libs and local references are perfect. He’s already booked for Snow White for Christmas 2019 through 2020.

He’s untouchable and frankly the benchmark for any top star who wants to impress in panto. I have absolute respect for his energy. His charm and warmth is a given – Birmingham LOVES him….and rightly so. Few are irreplaceable, but frankly, Slack is!

Peter Pan is a great night out for the family and worth the ticket price alone for Matt’s energy his chemistry with Jimmy.

Here’s to Snow White in 2019/2020!

Review by Alex Belfield for Celebrity Radio 26th December 2018