Thurrock Nub News Editor Neil Speight reviews the first night of 'The New Adventures of Peter Pan at the Thameside Theatre.

OVER the past 21 years that I have lived and worked in Thurrock, one of the annual pleasures has been to visit the Thameside Theatre pantomime.

I've not seen them all over those two decades, but certainly have laughed my way through a significant number.

I go back to the days of Damian Williams, a truly memorable and momentous performer who will forever remain etched in the history of our community theatre. He was a diamond and when he moved on, was described by some as irreplaceable.

Of course, he was replaced. And among others, as the era of Polka Dot pantos dawned, several performers have stepped into his multi-coloured shoes. Rob Stevens is a dame I remember with a great deal of delight and there have been others, until local lad Luke Coldham grabbed the mantle, donned his wicked (funny ha-ha) wigs and made the Thameside stage his own. 

The traumatic history of the Thameside over the last few years has been well-documented and tonight (Sunday, 30 November) is not the time to reflect on that journey, other than to say the era of Thurrock panto looked unlikely to continue at one point.

Last year's Snow White wasn't the greatest in my view, but it played to packed houses and delivered a message to those in Thurrock Council's ivory towers that they were flirting with fire by threatening to shut the place down.

The laughter had to go on. And so it has. Despite some backroom council antics that once again didn't cover TBC in glory, it was decided the show would go on. And so, Polka Dot were given the baton to produce The New Adventures of Peter Pan. And they made the inspired decision to give the mantle of director to the aforementioned Mr Coldham.

If you harvest a number of reviews I've delivered over recent productions by Thurrock Courts Players and TOPS on Stage you will know that when Luke turns his mind to something, it usually shines.

He has an eye for detail and timing that is rare in amateur theatre, but it would be unfair to describe him as a part time player. As an actor, singer and performer he has turned in many great performances and now fronts his own professional company.

One day, perhaps like the 'irreplaceable' Damian, he may move on to pastures new.

But that's the future, whichever way it plays out.

This evening. It's about the here and now. And I have to say this evening came very much with the wow factor.

I was a bit pensive as I pitched up at Thameside, but from the moment the house lights went down and the laughter started, I was enthralled.

The New Adventures of Peter Pan proved an absolute delight. Forget the machinations of this old and embittered wordsmith (and my bias against some people), this review is based on the atmosphere in the theatre and the enchantment and delight of many youngsters who were just enthralled and delighted. And other old fogies like me who were thrilled and thoroughly amused. This performance has something for everyone.

It was a masterclass of what a theatre like the Thameside is about. There were some warts and I'd be the last to say that the production hit the vocal heights. But who cares?

It was consummate craftsmanship from start to finish – led by Tinks the fairy, an energetic Ella Mclaughlin who bounced onto the stage slightly dwarfed by the initial sound balance (it was first night!) but the master craftsman on the sound decks Kane Crocker made the requisite adjustment and we were away – swept up into an enthralling story that delivers the sequel to J.M. Barrie's original timeless tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up.

It's Ella's professional panto debut. She'll be adding her sparkle to a lot more over coming years I suspect.

We were then pitched into a historic recap of Barrie's original tale with the bedroom scene of a grown-up Wendy in London lamenting her journey from adolescence without the magic of Peter Pan. Wendy is played by Thurrock's own Isabella Byrne (first on the Thameside stage aged three!). She's now a graduate of the Italia Conti Academy and has last year's Snow White title role on her CV. I'm sure more will follow.

Her appearance on stage was alongside Michelle Whitney as Mrs Darling and Michelle went on to cover two other key roles in the production, Persil the Mermaid and Captain Hook's sidekick Claudia. I'll be honest and I don't think singing is ever going to be Michelle's strongest point but watch out for this young lady. She's a strong and dynamic character actor and I expect she will build on what is already an impressive list of theatrical performances.

Into that bedroom bounced Peter Pan, played with great aplomb by Josh Harrington Yellop. He was very impressive throughout as he took the battle to Captain Hook and here, we turn to one of the stars of the company.

Samuel Ward Smith was truly impressive. It takes a lot of ability to make a sold-out auditorium of around 350 people hate you from first sight, but he delivered! He's got charisma in bucketloads, even as a villain. He was booed and catcalled all night long – but in truth everybody loved him. A top effort.

Which takes us to the last of the six principals, Luke Coldham as Mrs Smee.

This is not the archetypal dame role. Mrs Smee's a wrong 'un! But despite that Luke captured the hearts, minds and affection of everyone in the theatre. All I can say is consummate.

Among many highlights of the evening, Luke, Michelle and Sam delivered a comic masterpiece when they recalled Sally on the seashore selling shells. I'll say no more. Just comedy genius right out of the 'old school' British top drawer.

The show never faltered, with so much impressive choreography, magnificent scenery, dialogue that was right on local point and sensational lighting and sound (the Alexa skit is simply magnificent in terms of timing and presentation). There were plenty of bows to old school British panto too - he's behind you!

Off course the top six couldn't do it all on their own. Sammy Hemmings and Taylor Dark (Ant and Dec), Blaize Archer, Jimmy Fiordham Reed, Jenson Bacon and Maddy Smith as the professional singers and dancer were terrific. As were local youngsters as the 'Lost Boys'.

Local youngsters taking part in The New Adventures of Peter Pan.

That group will feature 36 youngsters over the production which runs to 4 January. Well done to all of you – enjoy every second of your Thameside spotlight time.

I was simply blown away with joy by what I saw tonight. Is it in the pantheon of great British theatrical productions? Well probably not. Was it bloody good fun and thoroughly entertaining? You bet it was.

If you've not already booked, give it some serious thought (here's the link). It will make your Christmas.

I enjoyed every second of this show and I feel guilty not saying thanks to all concerned. So, if your name's on this list (and all those mentioned above), well done. Vikki Bussell, Vicki Lyons, Franki McEwan, Elisabeth Moss. Michael Southgate, Alfie Williams, Charlotte Pogose, Phil Pattie, Sherlyn Duke, Alison Foirdham. Lisa Ricketts, Ann McEwan, Donna Honeywell, Joanne Cole, Louise Swain, Pamela Pilime, John Gathercole, Louise Hartnoll, Anni Hasler, Connie Jenkins, Lucy Jones, Stacey Lake, Rebecca Malley, Sheylyn Duke, Izzy Mustafa, Wendy Pogrose, Nikki Digby, Katie Sparks, Paige Standing, Ellie Barratt, Alfie Gibons, Stephen Royal, Xoe Plumb, Samantha Byrne and the Thameside Young Producers.

If I've missed someone sorry, but you'll all have a place on my Never Island forever.