Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Theatre Royal: Newcastle

THIS hilariously funny slapstick comedy from Mischief Theatre follows the West End hit and Olivier award winning The Play That Goes Wrong.

The show takes the JM Barrie classic Christmas pantomime and treats it as though a bunch of intoxicated parents had gatecrashed their children’s Christmas play and mistimes the results with comic precision.

From disastrous costume changes to ridiculous cast feuds, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is full to the brim with cartoon-like humour that entertains the audience.

The show is so cleverly thought out and what looks like a cheap and tacky panto is actually a well-choreographed masterpiece. The set design may seem like a cut-price piece of structured cardboard, but it’s a genius in disguise.

In my opinion, Laurence Pears stole the stage, playing the stereotypical over-serious actor Chris Bean, who was playing villainous George Darling and Captain Hook. The way he stormed across stage demanding to be taken seriously while the audience roared with laughter had me in bits. Another highlight was Leonie Hill as Sandra (Wendy Darling) flailing her arms and legs about on stage in an over-theatrical manner.

At times, some of the slapstick physical comedy got a little tedious, but every single second of the play was carefully rehearsed to perfection and I cannot really fault that in any way. From little girls dressed in Tinkerbell outfits to adults, everybody in the audience was laughing – so much so that at times I couldn’t hear anything else.

* Runs until Saturday. Box Office: 08448-112121 or theatreroyal.co.uk

Emily Craig