Last week our family attended the Peter Pan Pantomime at the Middleton Arena in Lancashire. When we arrived we were shown the way to the 500 seat auditorium. The stage was set and the musicians were ready playing pantomime music as the crowds prepared for a fantastic performance.
The Pantomime begun and the audience loved it. The show began with the introduction of Tinkerbell, Peter Pan’s fairy. We then met the funny man of the night Dean Winters who initially plays the butler for Wendy, John and Michael Darling.
The first half of the pantomime was fabulous. We enjoyed musical performances, singing and dancing along with many jokes and a lot of laughter and shouting. I loved the fact the lost boys was performed by young children who had clearly practiced and danced well throughout the show. We also loved seeing Tiger Lilly and her Indians and seeing dancing performed by hooks Pirates.
The best part of the first half for us was the flying sequences when Wendy and Peter flew to Netherland. It was really fantastic to watch.
During the interval we went to the shop an purchased a flashing light butterfly with huge wings on for my daughter to hold. Lots of children had these and they lit up the audience during the show. We also went backstage and my daughter was able to meet Peter Pan and Wendy. We also went and took photos next to the peter pan scene in the foyer.
The second half of the pantomime was even funnier than the first with lots of joking and nonsense by Smee (the second character played by dean Winters).
Wendy Darling played by Leah Murphy performed a fabulous rendition of “Somewhere out there” and Peter played by Oliver Mellor saved the day after the nasty Captain Hook kidnapped Wendy.
Peter Pan is a fabulous pantomime for children. It had both kids and parents laughing and shouting. The pirates ran around squirting the audience with water pistols and they really got the audience involved.
The best part for us was when the actors threw small balls into the audience so the children could throw ‘cannons” at the mean Captain Hook. I happened to have a ball thrown in my direction to my daughters joy I caught it with both hands. She was then able to hold onto the ball and throw it onto the stage when Peter Pan gave the signal.
The Peter Pan Pantomime was really fantastic. It was a great night out for the kids and for me seeing my daughter happy and having fun made me happy. I’m looking forward to further shows and performances at the Middleton arena in future.
This was not a paid review. All comments are honest opinions and thoughts regarding the performance.
About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in Preschool and Kindergarten teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and is passionate about kids crafts and having fun as a family. Angela has also taught cooking skills and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Inspiration Edit. Follow her on Pinterest!
Sounds like a lovely performance, I love pantomime’s at this time of year although it’s quite a trek to a decent one down here in Devon!
This was fantastic and Sylvia loved it. It was fabulous getting to go visit the cast as well! I’m glad we live in a great location for shows.
oh I love doing Panto with the children in the run up to Christmas. It really gets us all in the festive mood.
This is our first Christmas to see a Panto and it’s great as we are reviewing a few this year which is so strange! Its a good job we love these kind of shows.
This sounds like a fabulous pantomime Angela! I love when the audience gets engaged like you described. It makes it more fun for the kiddies that way when you are allowed to shout & laugh. It must have been amazing for Sylvia to meet Peter Pan & Wendy! x
Thanks Becky. It was great the whole audience participation and nice to not be on the back row missing out on all the fun! (like I was as a kid) .
This looks like a wonderful rendition of an old classic. I love a good pantomime but have not been to one in years. Last time I went was about 5 or maybe more years ago and it was Cinderella.
Thanks Ana. It was fabulous and we had an awesome night! – Angela
What a fun day out! It sounds like there were lots of great little extras like flying cast members and cannons to be thrown. Well done catching one!
It was brilliant and the cannons were fun!
Oh wow, I have never seen a pantomime before and would love to one day. Sounds like peter pan was a huge hit with your family.Thanks for sharing.
Its a great show and we really did enjoy it! 🙂
Sounds like you all had a lovely night out. We haven’t been to the panto yet this year, but its such a lovely Christmas family tradition 🙂
oh yes this was a great adventure and lots of fun for us! Angela
This sounds really fun. Panto is such a Christmas tradition isn’t it, and Peter Pan would be great for kids.
Thanks Cathy. The Pantomime was fantastic and so much fun to watch. We are lucky we get to see a few shows this year!
Sounds like a great pantomime. I love panto’s and can’t wait to take my son when he is a little older.Middleton is only down the road so will look into what they do next year. Thanks for sharing.
Thankyou so much. It was fantastic and one of the best i’ve ever been to.
Hi I just saw this blog! It’s amazing ! I am Shane ( John Darling in Peter PAN panto!) Thank you so much and I hope you enjoyed the show ?
Oh Yes I remember seeing you in the show. Thanks for stopping by. You did really well. Angela
We went to see the Peter Pan pantomime in Stoke just before Christmas and it was absolutely amazing, so much fun!
oh it’s a fab show isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed it too!
Hi There! This Was A Great Review, I Was In fact John Darling In This Panto! I Remember Seeing You Taking That Picture Of Peter And Wendy! Would Love To Do This Panto Again…
Oh how cool. I remember seeing you acting in your PJS! Good luck with more acting in future.