Peter Pan - Festival, Malvern (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Peter Pan - Festival, Malvern

CHRISTMAS came early for a ten-year-old, while her forty-something dad also left the Malvern Theatres with a huge helping of festive cheer.

With a little helping of Oliver, a whiff of Westlife, a chorus of Queens and an array of acrobatics, Peter Pan proved a terrific treat for young and old alike.

The audience might only have had boos for Captain Hook but Ron Moody, Fagin in the film Oliver, wasn't short of a cheer or two at the finish.

However, the internationally-acclaimed actor wasn't the only one to bring a twinkle to the eye in this wonderful adaptation of J M Barrie's classic tale.

If Moody was marvellous then his youthful co-stars helped to produce a magical evening of song, dance and laughter.

Lucy Johnson as Tinkerbell, Jon Monie as Smee and Ian Kay as the camp Cecco gave the first night audience's chuckle muscles a busy night.

It would be unfair, though, to pick out individuals when all the professionals and young dancers and budding actors and actresses from local theatre groups illuminated a winter's evening.

The audience even warmed to the anonymous wearers of the crocodile and dog costumes - such was the warmth and smiles on show on the stage.

Please can I have some more!

Peter Pan runs until January 8 and tickets start from just £8.50. Call the box office on 01684 892277 for details.

Review by Mervyn Collins