YOUTH THEATRE REVIEW: Peter Pan - The Hippodrome, Todmorden.

Todmorden's lovely Hippodrome theatre came alive this evening with something both extremely familiar, but also, completely new (at least to this reviewer). This was a Musical version of the well-known and -loved story of the boy who refused to grow up, but a version previously unknown to me. With music by George Stiles and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, this is a much more contemporary, and indeed more challenging, score than the more known versions available. 

It is all credit to the youngsters on stage then for tackling such a difficult and unfamiliar piece; and with the aid of some lovely costumes, excellent flying, and extremely good and nicely dressed sets, the children and teenagers were given a marvellous theatrical playground for them to create their characters and story.

This evening's show got off to a rather shaky and uncertain start, as the first chorus number was rather tentative and nerves were showing; but once the cast got into their stride, then the nerves were gone, and the whole company did themselves proud, performing as proficiently as they did. 

This version of the story utilisies a female narrator (for a wee plot twist right at the end), and Ella Reis had a warm and mellow voice which made us want to listen to her as she weaved in and out of the action on stage. Her make-up however did not work under the lighting used. Mr and Mrs Darling worked nicely together, (James Shepherd and Thea Crowther), although I feel the director could have found more comedy in their opening scenes for them. Crowther again had a lovely warm and pleasing voice and proved to be a proficient singer too during her solo. 

Peter Pan himself was played here with earnestness and sincerity by Joseph Dowling, as was the plaintive but strong-willed Emma Spooner as Wendy; both giving much to their roles. Whilst the comedy - what little there was - was left to the laconically sardonic Captain Hook (Finn Maden), and his hapless but well-meaning sidekick, Smee (Rebecca Spooner). We also had a 'cameo appearance' from the world's largest crocodile (!), which caused laughter from the youngsters in the audience. 

Credit should also be given to the other smaller principle roles; Nana (Emma Rawlinson), John (Maebh Logue), Michael (Ben Crowley), and Tiger Lily (Megan Shaw), all of whom added much to the production. There was also quite a large chorus / ensemble of pirates / Lost Boys / and goodness knows what else, and although it is impossible to mention them all individually, together they worked exellently and I enjoyed their cummulative choral sound greatly. 

There were a few occasions where the sound levels were not right, especially when the cast were speaking over music or in a few of the solo singing passages, where the cast member concerned simply was too quiet being drowned out by the music; whilst the lighting, although quite creative in places and generally worked well, did not light certain areas of the stage at all, meaning that when a principal was in that area and either speaking or singing, they remianed unlit. [I remember especially DSR for Captain Hook, and inside the Lost Boy's room on the bed for Peter Pan.]

However, slight mishaps aside, this was a solid production performed by a group of both enthusiastic and skilful young people, all of whom deserve the highest of praise for their commitment and effort in bringing about such an enjoyable show.

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 19.10.22