Review of ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’: “This Captain needs another hook”

The Mischief Company cracks it in the West End with the re-opening of a second show for the holiday season. Guillermo Nazara shares his views on the show, to let us know if in this campy comedy the jokes ever land.

Think of the happiest things, it’s the same as having wings… Gosh, if cocaine could be advertised on television, that slogan would surely do the trick. Well, now I wonder what was the inspiration for those lyrics… Ruined your childhood? Nah, you probably did it already when you replaced your innocent mass-killing video-games for another kind of joystick – and another kind of shooting… Sorry, rough weekend (he asked for it though…). Anyway, if you’re still looking for a way to poke fun on the boy who wouldn’t grow up (that could be read with so many different meanings…), maybe it’s time for you to take a trip to Central London and meet the sort of company whose expertise is screwing things up.

Enter Peter Pan Goes Wrong… Oh, come on! Do I really need to explain the plot here too?! It goes wrong, okay? The actors are bad, the show is unrehearsed, they have worse luck than Glinda in that cheap school production (look that video up!), so it goes ABSO-F*CKING-LUTELY WRONG! Doctor says I’m making progress with my anger issues – it was kind of him to sign that statement after I slapped him. Moving on. If you’re a fan of slapstick and absurd comedy, you may think there’s no better option for you than venturing into the Lyric Theatre this Christmas – especially, if you’ve seen and enjoyed its still running predecessor, The Play That Goes Wrong. But that may be, in fact, the problem.

It’s often said that second parts struggle to match their precursors. And sadly, that theory has been proven way too many times in the past. Films are usually the better example for this: when it takes off, they start milking it as hard as they can until squeezing its very last drop… (I know… but you had to see that coming… oh, right…). But by repeating not only the idea, but also the exact same formula as for its scenes and script writing in general, they may end up with something which is actually drier, and lacking the originality of the first one – or even worse, with Home Alone V.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong doesn’t reach those extents, but there’s still an aura of repetitiveness hovering above it. Though enjoyable in some parts, much of its comedy mimics (and even, mirrors) its big brother’s too closely, to the point of almost looking just like a different draft for the same show. Yes, we know what we were coming for when we saw the posters – it is indeed advertised as a similar concept, and by no means is that the issue. But using an almost replicated outline, along with the fact that this time its fictitious show stems from a script that we, as an audience, are too well acquainted with, provides less of an exciting and, above all in comedy, surprising outcome.

Many of its jokes feel rather predictable – either because we know the source material too well (thus, making them too obvious due to its parody style), or because it’s already happened in its counterpart. They are amusing on their own, but altogether affect the pacing quite notably – somehow, not allowing the piece to have too much of an identity, as the instinct and intuition put into the original creation is now replaced by a safer, standardized blueprint of gags and stunts built up because they worked the first time, but not because they were drawn by inspiration.

Featuring beautifully crafted set and lighting designs (perhaps, a bit too pretty for the story’s universe – but again, so am I for my own), the production values are, unquestionably, the highest component of the whole montage. Among them, its infectiously electrifying cast is, unmistakably, the greatest and real standout – able to convey and compel with remarkable ability, more than once, triggering a few chuckles and cackles the writing would have never provoked all alone.

Despite its overall brilliance, a few mentions are worth acknowledging, anyhow – the first concerning Nancy Zamit in the role of actress Annie (aka Mrs. Darling, aka maid/governess Lisa, aka Tinkerbell, aka producers are cheap), giving a most charming portrayal filled with effortless stamina and exceedingly humourous quality. Yet, the biggest praise goes to Harry Kershaw as pretend director Chris (also Mr. Darling and Captain Hook), for his magnetic rendition – exuding astounding naturalness and credibility without never renouncing to the hilarity of the character, in spite of the piece’s generally campy essence.

Parting from the appeal of quite an exhilarating premise and born into the success of a better implemented one, Peter Pan Goes Wrong doesn’t echo its title’s omen when it comes to its execution, but doesn’t manage to bring out the opposite either. With a few ups and downs and an akin group of bumps all throughout its delivery, the piece comes out as a slightly enjoyable though, unfortunately, not too memorable experience – still in need to find its own sense of uniqueness so it stands as a top member of the league, rather than its second division. Make it more extreme and take what we’ve already went through to a completely different level. If you wanna crack, you’d better whack.

All pictures credit to Pamela Raith.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong plays at London’s Lyric Theatre until 14 January. Tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara