Peter Pan

Octagon, Yeovil

ANOTHER laugh-a-minute comedy fest was unveiled at Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre this week, with chuckle-tastic routines and a fabulous set.

Peter Pan featured lots of flying, a cracking giant crocodile and plenty of slapstick laughs from the theatre’s panto regular Jack Glanville as Smee.

Andrew Fettes’ diminutive Captain Hook was great fun, with impeccable comedy timing and the even more diminutive Tinkerbell (Jo Osmond is just 4ft 4ins) provided the sassy ‘tude.

Both Pan (Scott Sutcliffe) and Wendy (Samantha Dorrance) had super voices and the songs chosen were great feelgood numbers, kept nice and short (nothing like breaking the fun mood of a panto with songs going on too long).

The Indians in Peter Pan are often a bit of an aside but these, led by Squatting Cow (Lizzie Francis, who also played Mrs Darling and Myrtle), were excellently funny.

Dame Mrs Starky (Jack Edwards) gave us the belly laughs with jokes about small stool and many fish (I won’t ruin it – go and see it!)

The choreography and direction were slick and the whole audience were able to get the full benefit thanks to the Octagon’s great layout. Costumes were works of art.

And all the non-speaking characters – the Lost Boys, the Indians and the Pirates – were great. A real united effort with no awkward moments.

Peter Pan runs until January 1, tickets cost £13-£22.

Go to octagon-theatre.co.uk or call 01935 422884.

MIRANDA ROBERTSON