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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
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As is traditional with HMT panto this show was written by Alan McHugh, who also stars as the Dame. This year the celebrity, playing Captain Hook, is Brendan Cole. They are joined by Paul J Corrigan as the loveable Smee, Michael Karl-Lewis as Peter Pan and Danielle Jam as Tinkerbell – possibly the first Doric fairy?!
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The sets and costumes were as awesome as ever, I especially enjoyed the dancing animals with their bright colours and distinctive heads. David Morgan had outdone himself with Wardrobe when it came to Dame Maggie Celeste’s outfits, especially the shiny number for the dance off with Brendan!
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There were of course lots of dance references with the star of Strictly Come Dancing, and it was funny watching Brendan trying to understand the Doric and local references, which are also very traditional in the HMT panto.
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My son’s favourite part was the funny story with the dog breeds wound through it, whereas I was howling with laughter at the mermaids with their singing seashells. They always do a progressive song that gets more and more difficult for the actors to keep up with (unharmed anyway) and it was also a highlight, although there was one scary moment when I thought their variations from the script had gone terribly wrong, but luckily it was all part of the show. There were a few moments when you were not entirely sure if it was the script or not, but that again is all in the entertaining nature of a panto!
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Obviously, this is not the cheapest pantomime on offer in the city and Shire, but you can see where the money goes with the fantastic costumes and sets and the superstar line up! Well worth a visit and fantastic to see all the youngsters giggling away gleefully – and the parents for the jokes that go over the wee ones heads!! We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and felt much more festive as we headed home afterwards, I totally recommend a visit!
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Tickets still available, on until 8th January 2023: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/peter-pan/
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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