Panto review: Peter Pan takes off in Aberdeen

Spectacular pantomime opens at HMT

By Kirsty Taylor

Published:

HOOKED: Peter Pan played by Keith Jack and Captain Hook played by soap star Alan Fletcher. pictures by james ross

TOPS: Carlyne Gibb and Keith Jack as Wendy and Peter.

IN STEP: Peter Pan dancing with the Lost Boys in Neverland.

WITH everything from magical fairies to fearsome pirates – Peter Pan is surely the most adventurous of pantos.

And the excitement was tangible right from the start as the curtain went up at Aberdeen’s HMT for this year’s swashbuckling extravaganza.

Shouts of “Wow!” and “That’s ace!” were already escaping children’s lips as Tinkerbell danced across the stage with the help of green laser effects.

And the star-studded cast’s fantastic journey through Neverland would thrill any spectator who did not want to grow up.

Young and old joined in booing Alan Fletcher as the Aussie soap star revealed his darker side as baddie Captain Hook.

“Fletch” revealed there was more to him than Neighbours character Dr Karl Kennedy as he had a ball playing the devious pirate leader.

And Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack’s soaring performance proved a match for any man as he flew high above the stage.

Joseph reality show contestant Keith treated those in the balcony seats to a close encounter as a hi-tech high-wire rig helped him fly up close.

The extra balcony seats had been released after the show became a record breaker with more than 46,000 tickets being sold before the opening night.

But it was no wonder even more people flocked back to the Aberdeen venue as veteran panto double-act Alan McHugh and Jordan Young provided laughs aplenty for the fifth year running.

Alan was hilarious as the over-sized Dame Maggie Celeste and Jordan was a delightfully gormless Smee.

The pair had the audience in stitches with their North-east slanted banter. Alan had even scripted local gags specially for the Evening Express- sponsored performances including lighthearted digs at Robert Gordon’s College and pesky seagulls on Union Street.

Other fun twists on the well-known tale included a cute Tinkerbell on roller skates, played by Jodie Jackson, and stunning dances performed by Tiger Lily’s Indians and Hook’s pirate crew.

North-east talent also shone through with the Darling boys, Michael and John, played by locally- recruited actors and the babes, who were from Aberdeen Academy of Dance.

The troupe of lost boys formed a cute chorus while sweet Carlyne Gibb shone as Wendy.

Colourful costumes and spectacular sets formed a fitting backdrop for what was a truly stupendous panto event.

Click here to see more panto pix