Blog: Peter Pan Pantomime 9 December 2019 by Visit Blackpool It’s panto season, everyone! Over the weekend, the Grand Theatre sprinkled some glitter onto Blackpool and put on what our team agreed was the best panto we can recall seeing. Peter Pan is absolutely incredible, and we’re already making plans to go and see it again. It was total magic to see families pouring into the theatre in festive jumpers, Christmassy head-boppers, illuminated toys and the rosy cheeks of anticipation everywhere you looked. Nowhere does pomp and ceremony of the Grand – it’s the perfect place for a panto! The sets are magnificent – colourful, functional and so elaborate that we were left wondering how they can store all those wonderful scenes backstage! The beginning of the show utilises some very clever special effects as the children fly to Neverland with Peter Pan that I actually think I did a little gasp. The show is very faithful to J. M. Barrie’s enchanting tale, which will be good news for story purists, but it’s not lacking in traditional panto fun! It’s also extremely well-paced, especially for opening night. Your little ones are likely to be up later than usual, so it’s great that the show doesn’t needlessly keep you sat in your seats into the small hours. There haven’t been any filler scenes thrown in for no reason, and the scenes used to allow time for set and costume changes are engaging. The songs are a great mix between original panto tracks and contemporary hits. There’s just the right amount of cheesiness, and the songs were cleverly chosen and relevant to the plot. The orchestra were fantastic, and obviously enjoying their encounters with the cast. The singing voices are all brilliant, but the fantastic representation of the characters is what makes this show shine. We say it every single year, but Steve Royle just gets better and better. His comedy timing and genius ad-libbing appeal to all ages in the audience, and he has everyone in hysterics for the entire show! His skill at making the audience feel a part of the show are second-to-none. He’s an integral part of the panto whom we hope remains forever. Another stand-out performance was from Tom Lister. Having not seen him in panto before, we suspected (unfairly) that he’d be too stuffy to let go and be playful considering the tough storylines he’s acted in Emmerdale, but his camp, over-the-top performance was a pure joy. He has totally embraced the silliness and the audience loved him, evidenced by getting a huge cheer from the audience as he took his bow, over the typical boos and jeers reserved for the villain. We left the theatre feeling giddy and excited for Christmas, and we cannot recommend the show enough. If you haven’t seen a panto in a few years, this fresh take is definitely the right one to resume the tradition with. So, head for the second star to the right and fly straight on until you reach the Grand Theatre. As Hook will shakily tell you, the clock is ticking, so don’t miss out! Steph, Blackpool