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Peter Pan takes off in Aberdeen
Evening Express, 8th December 2008
Spectacular pantomime opens at HMT
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’HMT for this year’swashbuckling
extravaganza.
Shouts of “Wow!” and “That’ace!”
were already escaping children’lips as Tinkerbell danced
across the stage with the help of green laser effects.
And the star-studded cast’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 ’as he had a ball playing the devious
pirate leader.
And Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack’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’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’Indians and Hook’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.
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