Peter Pan

Zealous Productions’ pantomime is a big, beautiful production in the British tradition, that is delighting audiences of all ages. Featuring excellent production values, a stellar cast and a production team that understand pantomime, you couldn’t find a better way to close your theatrical year.

Director Peter Cumins, who performed in Panto in the UK, and producer Dixie Johnstone, have assembled an excellent cast, who are all locals or regular performers in Perth, and have avoided “stunt casting” opting for very strong performers instead. The production looks beautiful, with lots of stage magic including wonderful projections and impressive lighting in a debut design from Luke Scatchard. Katie Williams’ costumes are an absolute joy - with some lovely surprises and are supported by excellent makeup design by Manuao Te Aotonga. 

The show also sounds great, with superb singing from the cast supported by a live band lead by Musical Director Joshua James Webb. The style might be traditional, but the songs, apart from the classic singalong, are contemporary and fun.

Vincent Hooper is great fun and brings warmth, great energy and likeability to the title role. He is nicely supported by Emma Haines as Tinkerbell, a pretty but petulant fairy - given a lovely character journey by Emma Haines. Emily Lambert is a ‘darling’ Wendy Darling, with a lovely blend of traditional and modern heroine and a delight to watch.

Brendan Hanson is a fabulous Captain Hook who works his audience with expertise and revels in the villainy. His crew are less formidable and both quickly become audience favourites. Tim How makes a welcome return to Perth as first mate, Smee - hilarious and loveable, while Smee’s Mum, Dame Starkey, is gorgeously played by John O’Hara, naughty but nice - and a scene stealer throughout.

Manuao Te Aotonga has wonderful presence, strong as Chief of Never Never Land’s tribe (although not enough stage time), while daughter Tiger is given lots of fight, feistiness and familial loyalty in a professional debut from Jenny Guigayoma.

On Opening Night, Blake Jenkins and Walter Gittens played John and Michael Darling, with lovely characterisations and personality - they alternate these roles with Noah Connelly and Hunter Young.

The Darling boys are absorbed beautifully into the Lost Boys, played with great teamwork and individuality by Harry Fenn (Slightly) Joshua Firman (Curly), Tate Bennett (Tootles) and Samuel Maloney (Nibs) - most of whom also pick up another key role. Completing the cast with panache are some of the busiest members of the ensemble - Natasha Kayser, Georgia McGivern and Ciara Taylor - playing variously lost boys, stars, pirates, tribe members and a trio of Motown Mermaids. This company sing and move well together, with fun, well executed choreography by Allen Blachford.

Kimberley Shaw