Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome - review with pictures

The Hippodrome panto never disappoints and this year’s is no exception. Producers Qdos Entertainment always deliver on every level, from making the children scream with excitement and laughter to entertaining the mums and dads too.

The theatre exploded as master comedian Matt Slack made his entrance, stealing the show for the sixth year on the trot with his very own brand of silliness, outstanding physical comedy and hilarious interaction with his audience.

You could just give me two hours of Matt Slack and nothing else and I would be happy. He only had to walk across the stage and the audience were in fits of laughter, such is the power of his comedic antics.

From his tongue-twisters to his corny jokes, crazy costumes and loony lip-syncing, Matt Slack must surely be the best panto comedian of his time.

Having an American star as top billing in what is essentially a British tradition may seem a little odd, but Jimmy Osmond certainly blends in perfectly as the evil Hook.

Appearing completely at home with panto culture and delivering the comedy lines with ease he took the role and made it his own.

Incorporating classic hits by The Osmonds, including Crazy Horses, reworded as Crazy Pirates may have been a step too far for me, but there was absolutely no doubt that fans in the audience loved it.

Together with the outstandingly strong ensemble of dancers and singers, plus the Babes from The Birmingham Stage School, he brought the house down.

Jaymi Hensley was the perfect Peter Pan, in fine voice and very easy on the eye, while Kellie Gnauck was wonderfully wacky as the acidic fairy, Tinkerbell.

Local comedienne, Meera Syal made her panto debut as The Magical Mermaid, but don’t worry folks, Granny Kumar still made an appearance and a special mention must go to West End Star Cassie Compton, Mali Harris-Blackwood and Jack Benton as the Darling Children.

One thing that sets the Birmingham pantomime apart from other local performances is the choreography and Alan and Sharon Harding’s’ efforts should be applauded as they kept the whole show moving seamlessly along, whilst impressing onlookers with exciting lifts and high-energy routines.

No tale of Peter Pan would be complete without the crocodile of course and in this production, Mr Croc was so life-like and truly terrifying that I screamed, never mind the little ones.

Seriously though, the special effects in this panto were mind-blowing and for anyone who caught the article on The One Show earlier this week about the panto producers Qdos, this is the million-pound scenery they were talking about. You may have seen some of the effects before, but never all in one show.

Add to that spectacular lighting effects and projections, sumptuous costumes and a flurry of flying and Peter Pan is the perfect example of a modern-day pantomime with a traditional edge. Too much maybe? But then as we know, in theatre too much is never enough.

Peter Pan is magical, mystical and mind-blowing and a must-see this Christmas.

For tickets visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000.