Peter Pan flies into Milton Keynes Theatre
Magical rendition of family favourite by Northern Ballet Theatre.
THERE seemed something odd about watching a traditionally Yuletide show in the midst of a generally balmy spring night.
But the story of Peter Pan is so timeless that before you could count the ticks of the crocodile's consumed pocket-watch we were transported into Neverland.
The Northern Ballet Theatre returned to Milton Keynes Theatre with their spring production, a family favourite that should have appealed to everyone.
There was no faulting the perfect performances of the dancers, who were, as always, a joy to watch. Peter Mumford's imaginative set and David Nixon's costumes were sumptuous as always and this time we had the added bonus of some nifty aerial sequences that utilised the space above the stage to good effect.
But, for me, what flawed an otherwise magical production, was the music which at times seemed obtrusive and overpowering for a story that is ripe with fairy lightness.
Nixon, choreographer and director, chopped a little from the rambling story of lost innocence, and the fantasy lost nothing for that.
It opened in the Kensington nursery of the Darling family where Nana (a rather overly-frisky mutt, I thought) was helping staff put the children to bed before the parents went out for the night.
Moments later there was a witty duet between the boy who refused to grow up (a thrilling and graceful performance by David Ward) and his shadow (Thomas Aragones).
Peter Pan, splendid in forest green as always, enchants the Darling children and whisks them off to his home far away. This was the cue for an extended flying sequence which, after a minute or two, lost its magic.
Yes, the wire work was good, but there was no need to labour the point.
Once in Neverland there was a breakneck romp through the story of Capt'n Hook, the Lost Boys, and the petulant Pan.
And fluttering her dainty little wings throughout the show was Michela Paolacci who made a wonderfully sassy Tinkerbell with her bottle blonde pixie cut hairdo and punk attitude.
Kenneth Tindall made an elegant patriarch and debonair Hook though the latter had been rather Cavalier with the dressing up box.
NBT's next production is Swan Lake which will be going into the Ambassador's new Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury in October.
For tickets call the box office 0844 871 7607.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
