Theatre Review: Peter Pan, Octagon Theatre, Bolton

The Octagon’s target audience at Christmas is always the children and this production gives itself every chance of hitting the target.
By Barry Bradshaw
Published 11th Dec 2012, 10:00 BST

It has everything going for it – a hero and a villain, pirates, mermaids, a crocodile, and a fairy are among the participants in an adventure that has stood the test of time in much the same way as its hero.

Last year’s festive production of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was the best-selling show in the Octagon’s 44-year history so it was a hard act to follow but the Octagon has never shirked a challenge and nor does it here. It delivers on all fronts - humour, colour and energy, with more than a touch of ingenuity. The latter is particularly evident in our first glimpse of the fairy Tinker Bell as just a flitting dot of light before we see her in bodily form. And when we do see her in bodily form – as played by Anna Wheatley – it has to be said that she rather steals the show.

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Samuel Hargreaves as Peter Pan and Amy Noble as Wendy complement each other very well, while Christopher Villiers plays the villainous Captain Hook for everything it is worth.

Both the young and the young at heart will enjoy this trip to Neverland. It is running until January 12th.

Ticket office: 01204-520661.