![](https://www.sardinesmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/PeterPan_Woking_Title_1920x1080-jpg.webp)
Show: Peter Pan
Society: New Victoria Theatre (professional productions)
Venue: New Victoria Theatre. The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6GQ
Credits: Produced by Crossroads Pantomimes
Type: Sardines
Author: Paul Johnson
Performance Date: 12/12/2023
Peter Pan
Paul Johnson | 13 Dec 2023 01:38am
No matter how at home and relexed he appears on Strictly, Anton Du Beck is no comedian and, therefore, this dancer has yet to cut his panto teeth (this is only his second pantomime and he had to wait until becoming a Strictly judge). it takes something to lead your entire cast, doesn’t it, Mr Du Beke? He’s even bought one of Strictly’s choreographers, Alan Birkitt, to direct and choreograph the show.
now Paul Chuckle IS a comedian. he’s very funny and some of the routines had his mark on them (and the late Barry Chuckle’s of course). That all said, Peter Pan is a story that doesn’t naturally lend itself to pantomime (like Cinderella does for example). and the songs tonight weren’t a great choice either. I didn’t recognise any of them, except for the odd Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing in Act I and sung by Tink (Georgia Brierley-Smith) and Smee (Anton Du Beck). Peter Pan such a famous story by J.M. Barrie but a panto, it aint. Nevertheless, its one of Qdos’ top 10 biggest pantos in the country. It used to be run by First Family Entertainment in the big venues. This year Woking’s New Victoria Theatre is host. Last year the King of panto, Brian Conley, starred in Woking.
Ian Townsend’s six-piece band makes a very full sound as is the way these days and the huge crocodile at that end of Act I is excellent (although ‘The Twins FX’ is not credited except in the programme editoriel, From Page to Stage). All in all, Woking’s once again offer audiences all glitz and glamour of a top-drawer show.
I’m not as stingy with my stars as our biggest reviewer, Susan Elkin (Revel Horwood) so I’ll give it four stars, but this star needs to lead the company in ALL directions going forward. Of the cast, Richie Durrant works his socks of as Peter Pan – of the title – as does Bob Harms as Captain Hook, but it’s not them who are selling tickets so nobody probably cares… until the TV makes stars of them. Of the stars, Nigel Ellacott is excellent as the Dame, Mrs Smee and the aforementioned Paul Chuckle IS very funny. Anton Du Beck will get better, he’s halfway there already. The show makes the most his daicing talent and Strictly connection.
Ian Townsend’s six-piece band makes a very full sound as is the way these days and the huge crocodile at that end of Act I is excellent (although ‘The Twins FX’ is not credited except in the programme editoriel, From Page to Stage). All in all, Woking’s once again offer audiences all glitz and glamour of a top-drawer show.