Review: Pan, Chickenshed

Review: Pan, Chickenshed

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A heartfelt, ambitious and energetic celebration of what can be created with care and collaboration.

If there’s one thing they’re not short of at Chickenshed, it’s ambition: believe something can happen and it will. And this year’s Christmas show, Pan, certainly proves the point, putting an absolutely huge cast of people of many abilities on to a stage and behind the scenes to create a show packed with energy and festive fun.

Directed by Michael Bossisse and Louise Perry, it’s a great choice of play for an organisation that is currently celebrating their 50-year anniversary. Pan is an intergenerational story of playfulness, collaboration, belief and overcoming adversity so that everyone finds a home where they are welcome: the very essence of Chickenshed. 

The anticipation of the excited audience is tangible as this spectacular production begins, many families here supporting someone involved in the show. With a core cast of professionals and then rotating casts of 200 mostly young people in each performance (tonight’s show was performed by the Red Rota), it is no easy operation. Bethany Hamlin’s fluid choreography is at the core of everything, moving huge swathes of performers in synchronised groups around the stage. This is then contrasted with artistic tableaux and set pieces from smaller teams of performers. There are kids dancing, singing, up the stairs, down the stairs, carried on, using wheelchairs – and a wealth of people represented, without barriers to performance.

The plot is familiar, based squarely on the original novel by JM Barrie, but set in a framing device that weaves the idea of storytelling into the narrative. This choice really speaks to Chickenshed’s purpose, which is to allow people of all types and abilities to have a voice and be visible. In fact, one of the most moving lines in the production is when one of the Lost Boys, Tootles, says “I’m in the story”. Tonight he – like many others – really is!

We satisfyingly meet all the recognisable characters including Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael, Tiger Lily, the Lost Boys and the Pirates. Jonny Morton is a hilariously flamboyant Captain Hook, sneeringly teasing the crowd, whilst Demar Lambert plays Peter with enormous athleticism, flying through the air on wires and turning crowd-pleasing somersaults. There’s a crew of lively Tinkerbells supporting Ellie Morton as Tink herself, and Cara McInanny elevates the Storyteller role with her glorious voice. Throughout, the characters are subtly shadowed by talented BSL interpreters, giving an extra level of access to an already wide audience. 

An amazing band, overseen by Musical Directors Dave Carey and Phil Haines, brings an upbeat, modern feel to the production. Within the fairytale atmosphere, we’re constantly surprised by changing themes, a cheeky bit of hip hop occasionally sliding in to link the traditional and contemporary. Energy levels are through the roof, keeping the audience smiling throughout. There’s an odd choice to not give microphones to some performers with only occasional lines, which means their words get a little lost, but largely it’s a full on rollercoaster of sound.

Andrew Caddies’ lighting design leans into the darkness, using dramatic strokes to underscore a sense of the imagination at play and a fairytale space. The extensive set is impressively flexible and layered, transforming seamlessly between multiple locations; jumping from the nursery to the rooftop, to a pirate ship and a lagoon. 

It’s fun, it’s dynamic, but above all, this is a Christmas production with real heart. Bold, bright and ambitious, it captures the essence of Chickenshed’s work with festive glee, making space for everyone to be part of a story about magic, caring for others and a desire to play. After seeing Pan you won’t just believe in fairies, you’ll believe in the power of people!

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Directed by: Michael Bossisse & Louise Perry
Choreographer: Bethany Hamlin
Vocal Director: Cara McInanny
Scene Director: Jonny Morton
Set & Lighting Design: Andrew Caddies
Sound Design: Phil Haines
Costume Design: Emma Gale
Writers & Composers: Dave Carey, Jo Collins, Hector Dogliani, Ashley Driver, Phil Haines, Will Laurence, Cara McInanny, Paul Morrall, Sebastian Ross, Áine Smith
Musical Directors: Dave Carey, Phil Haines
Sign Language Translator: Jay Thomas-Morton
Sign Language Director: Georgie Jacobs

Pan is aimed at ages 5+ and runs at Chickenshed until Saturday 11 January. Further information and booking details can be found here.