Production company Evolution have headed up the panto in Shrewsbury for well over 10 years now, and it's truly brilliant every year - but every year it tries (and delivers) something a little bit more special.
Directed by and starring Brad Fitt (who was presented with commemorative plaque of his name adorning dressing room one in honour of the fact he has spent 10 years at the as director and star), is back in the role of the dame.
This year's offing goes that little bit further, with sets, routines and special effects that really would rival any panto of a city or much larger venue than we have here in Shrewsbury.
Get ready to laugh, fly, cry, reminisce, join in, dance, be silly, be charmed and entertained in the space of two hours.
PETER PANto is a visual showstopper with a stunning, sparkly, colour changing, moving set and incredibly professional scenes and backdrops. If you ever wanted to enjoy the charm of an Edwardian London Home at bedtime, before being whisked off to Never Never Land, this is the chance!
The costumes get better every year too, with no expense spared! There's silk, glitz and glamour, and I can't even begin to tell you how flamboyant and inventive our dames' costumes are!
The usual gags we've come to know and love, like the Shrewsbury v Telford jokes (all in good spirit of course, especially because Paul Hendy, founder of Evolution Productions, hails from Telford,) as well as popular culture jokes and takes on the latest showstopping songs are all there. The version of ‘From Now On’ from the Greatest Showman bought tears to my eyes and the singing performances by Harry Winchester (Peter) and Victoria McCabe (Elizabeth Darling), are quite simply stunning.
Our very own Eric Smith of former Radio Shropshire presenting fame, plays at least six characters in this year’s show and now he is a stellar member of the cast.
But our Brad. I rue the day that Brad won’t be donning that famous makeup and hilariously brilliant outfits and shouting ‘Hellllloooooooo Shreeeewwwwssssbbbbuurrrrrryyyy” to the rafters.
Yes, I admit it, I am a fan. Brad Fitt is our Shrewsbury panto. He is a true star in every sense of the word. He is the glue which binds the story and everyone on that stage together. We are very lucky to have him and long may it continue.
Fitt is a tour de force, simply priceless, never missing a beat and delivering every comic face and every line with aplomb. Just brilliant.
Captain Hook is marvellous, I loved his dastardly character voice and there is a hilarious mermaid and a very cheeky Tinkerbelle. My personal highlights were Mrs Smee singing Elizabeth to sleep, the swimming scene and the heart-warming and uplifting return to London scene.
There's so much audience participation and some things you won't expect, everyone should make the Shrewsbury panto part of their festive or new year plans.
You can enjoy a stagetext and signed performance for the hearing impaired and the ‘new relaxed space.’
This is now available alongside all performances. It’s suitable for audiences who find any elements of the live performance environment uncomfortable and need to leave the auditorium. The relaxed space is equipped with comfortable seating and live footage of the performance on screen, so you can continue watching the show if you wish.
Peter Pan is on until January 3, 2022. The 2023 Shrewsbury Panto at Theatre Severn is Beauty & The Beast and tickets are on sale now! Visit www.theatresevern.co.uk or call 01743 281281.
