Peter Pan Goes Wrong review, Pleasance Theatre Islington

When Tinkerbell is electrocuted by her own lights, it is clear  Peter Pan Goes Wrong can never get it right. The Darling children have only just survived their triple bunk collapsing with them in it. A portly Nana has had to be cut from the dog-flap by a props man who later has to understudy our eponymous hero. The Lost Boys are in A&E after their coach crashed. A rogue tape exposing the pretensions of the cast is mysteriously broadcast, and the crocodile keeps falling off his skateboard.

Fans of slapstick and very physical theatre from companies like Spy Monkey, will get great pleasure from Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The man next to me was convulsed. Even if some of the jokes are repeated two times too many, or the collapsing set loses the element of surprise, or the in-fighting starts to pall, there is much to admire. It's not good luck that nobody is hurt when bashed on the head by a rowing skiff or sent crashing through walls, it's a function of master-choreography and timing. The work that has gone into this production by Mischief Theatre, is apparent in every spill, thrill and pratfall.

It is panto season and the number of excited children at this afternoon's performance in Islington suggests that's what was expected, but Peter Pan Goes Wrong is not panto. It is funny and fun, but it deliberately skirts the warm-hearted sentimentality of children's productions and the orchestrated audience interactions that distinguish seasonal entertainments. That said, no little voices were raised in complaint and there was no mid-action running to the loo. The cast of ten is terrific.

Conclusion:  Peter Pan is from the team who created the celebrated, Play That Goes Wrong. That was one hour of perfect comedy. This is nearly two that could be nearer perfect with some serious pruning. As it is, it's an over-egged pudding; but it goes down well enough, particularly if accompanied with a glass of warm, spiced, Cider from the Pleasance bar.


References
Pleasance Theatre, Tickets

Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF    Production ends 5 January 2014