Hook returns in Basingstoke’s fast paced, colourful, stream-lined panto

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook
at The Anvil, Basingstoke, until December 31
Review by DEREK ANSELL

Pantomimes are changing, no doubt about it. The Dames that are always men and the Principal Boys that are always girls seem to have disappeared. And all the old slapstick routines of baking with lots of flour and water flying around? That seems to have gone too, but maybe it was too much of a cleaning up chore afterwards for busy ASMs. Which brings us to this production which isn’t quite traditional panto as we used to know it, but comes fairly close.

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan brings back the story of the boy who never grew up. He still hasn’t.

David Ribi played him sensitively as the lad who didn’t want to grow up. Wendy from the original production is said to be 104 years old at this time. She grew up!

Chris Pizzey plays Smee in traditional manner and also does a very good job as director of this sizzling production.

Sizzling along too are Ruth Betteridge as little Emily Darling and her mum, Melanie Walters as Mrs Darling. Melanie also sparkled as a mermaid. Well, it’s panto, isn’t it?

Chris Fearn was typically evil and threatening as Captain Hook, without really terrifying the tiny children in the audience. And that nonsense that he was eaten by a crocodile was obviously untrue.

Tristan Crabtree, Mark Nixon and Jack Robbins played three Nitwits, oh yes, they did. As dancers they were mostly behind us but as part of an impressive acrobatic sequence, they were front and centre. Director/actor Smee was also involved here, and the well-timed movement of the acrobats made it all look easy.

Full marks too for the young dancers currently studying at the Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical Theatre who played both household staff and pirates.

And much praise is due to the young dancers of the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing and the North Hampshire Academy of Dance. The singing, dancing and acting was performed with skill by all concerned.

The production flowed along at a very good pace with a zip and panache that was pleasing to see and hear.

There was one brief nod towards old style panto in the ghost scene where someone in a sheet manages to float round the back of four people who can’t see him. Oh yes, he does.

For the rest it was a fast paced, colourful, stream-lined panto in the new style. Loud, raucous at times, but good fun and games for everyone concerned.

Oh yes it was.