christmas

Neverland Comes To Colchester! Accessibility Review Of ‘The New Adventure’s Of Peter Pan’

/ thevicritic / 1 Comment

Hi everyone! The festive season is upon us, and you know what that means—it’s Panto Season!

I was thrilled to be invited to The Mercury Theatre to see their latest production, The New Adventures of Peter Pan, directed by and starring the incomparable Anthony Stuart-Hicks. This is a show brimming with laughter, joy, and plenty of heart, making it the perfect family outing this Christmas.

The story picks up after the original Peter Pan tale, but peace doesn’t last long. Captain Hook, burped back up by the crocodile, is out for revenge! The chaos and comedy that follow are nothing short of spectacular.

From the very beginning, the stage bursts with vibrant colour and energy. The set design, the most elaborate The Mercury Theatre has ever created, is a visual feast. Bright, bold hues and dramatic lighting make every moment pop. For those with some sight, the clever contrast between costumes and backgrounds ensures key characters like Peter Pan, Wendy, and Captain Hook are easy to spot. It’s a thoughtful touch that highlights the production’s commitment to accessibility.

The cast is phenomenal. Alexandra Barredo as Wendy and Sasha Latoya as Tinkerbell deliver outstanding vocal performances that will leave you in awe. Jazz Evans as Captain Hook is a delightfully evil presence, clearly relishing every moment on stage. His charisma adds depth and charm to the role, making him a memorable villain.

The image depicts an individual dressed in an elaborate pirate costume, complete with a large black, wide-brimmed hat adorned with golden epaulettes and a red, ornate jacket. They are holding a silver hook in place of a hand, suggesting they are portraying a character like Captain Hook. The background is filled with dramatic red lighting and various signs, creating an intense and adventurous atmosphere. The intricate details of the costume, such as the lace cuffs and the sash around the waist, add richness to the scene, indicating a possible theatrical performance or themed event.

Of course, no Mercury Theatre panto would be complete without Anthony Stuart-Hicks and Dale Superville, playing Sherry Smee and Smee, respectively. These two are comedic geniuses, effortlessly bringing the audience to tears of laughter. Whether it’s your first panto or your fiftieth, they make you feel at home, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Their chemistry and humor are the beating heart of this show, and they’re a big reason why audiences return year after year. I strongly believe that the one year they are not there and the theatre brings someone else in, it will not be the same. I, for one, will be completely gutted when that happens because they are truly beloved by me and the whole of Colchester and Essex!

The image depicts a vibrant, colorful stage scene from a circus or amusement-themed performance titled 'Neverland Amusements.' In the center, under a bright purple and pink sign, stand two performers dressed in elaborate, whimsical costumes. The performer on the left, possibly female, wears a yellow, red, and green striped outfit with a puffy skirt, while the performer on the right, possibly male, is in a multicolored outfit with blue pants. They are surrounded by a variety of props, including a decorated cart filled with playful objects. The background is adorned with bright lights, creating an atmosphere of excitement and wonder.
This image depicts a vibrant stage performance with a fantastical theme. Centered on the stage, a group of performers, including men and women dressed in elaborate costumes with floral and nature-inspired designs, are frozen in a celebratory pose with their arms raised. The background features a dramatic and colorful scenery of an enchanted forest, illuminated with bright, shimmering lights resembling stars, and a radiant burst of light or fireworks at the top center, adding a magical atmosphere. The mood conveyed is joyous and festive, enhanced by the rich colors and dynamic arrangement of the performers.

Accessibility Recommendations:

If you have some useful sight, aim for Row E or closer for a great view of the action. For limited vision, rows A-C offer a closer perspective, but be prepared—you might find yourself part of the show, especially if Sherry Smee is nearby!

For blind or visually impaired patrons, there are two Audio Described performances: on 7th December at 2 pm and 18th January at 7 pm. These include a Touch Tour before the show, allowing you to explore the set, costumes, and props hands-on. The Mercury Theatre’s dedication to accessibility is clear, and these features make the magic of panto truly inclusive.

Running from 23rd November 2024 to 19th January 2025, The New Adventures of Peter Pan is a laugh-out-loud adventure filled with festive cheer. Whether you’re young or young at heart, it’s a magical experience not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased along with more information about the accessibility performances can be found here on The Mercury Theatre website!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Until next time,
The VI Critic

Sherry Smee & Smee (Anthony-Stuart-Hicks & Dale Superville) Play Some Crazy Golf!

Sleeping Beauty’ Pantomime Casts Its Spell Over The Mercury Theatre!

/ thevicritic / 1 Comment

Welcome back to another review, which will be the last review of the year with the lead-up to Christmas and the new year so imminent. But I get to finish it over with my favourite of the year and that’s always going to be The Mercury Theatre’s Pantomime and as always it did not disappoint. 

This year’s Pantomime tells the story of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ but of course with some twists and more modern adoptions. 

First I need to mention the use of colour and lighting as The Mercury really nailed it this year! Even before the show started; there was use of bright multi-colourful on the trees at the sides of the stage, along with these same lights in the glittery title of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The vibrant and visually captivating nature of the show is immediately evident, with a delightful array of colours splashed across the stage. The atmosphere immediately captures the audience even before the show begins. The use of colour throughout the whole show, and is a visual delight. However, it may be too much for some.  

The costumes of the characters stand out prominently, designed with distinctiveness in mind, making it effortless for the audience, regardless of visual ability, to distinguish between each character. This thoughtful consideration contributes significantly to the accessibility of the performance.

The picture is of a vibrant and colorful stage performance. The background is a magical night sky with stars and snowflakes, illuminated by beams of light in shades of purple and blue. There is a large arch on the stage adorned with snowflakes and stars. In the center of the stage, there is a female performer wearing a sparkling blue dress with a voluminous skirt made of blue feathers. She has her arms outstretched and appears to be singing or performing. Surrounding her are other performers dressed in black with blue feathered skirts. They are in various dance poses with their arms raised and appear to be part of a chorus or ensemble. The overall feel of the image is festive, magical, and full of energy.

Alexandra Barredo The actress portraying Lona steals the spotlight with her remarkable singing prowess. Her voice resonates throughout the theatre, captivating hearts and elevating the emotional depth of the production.

‘Sleeping Beauty’ brings forth a plethora of laughter, cleverly catering to both adults and children. Anthony Stuart-Hicks, with his mixture of fresh and timeless comedic material, ensures that the humour appeals to a diverse audience. As for Dale, his consistent charm and wit remain a constant highlight, much to the delight of the loyal audience. These two together are always a joy to see on stage together and their strong and loving chemistry really shines through. Their consistent ability to connect resonates deeply, becoming the driving force behind audiences’ unwavering return, year after year after year.

‘Polo’ the penguin at the start, I’ll be honest I wasn’t are was going to work at the beginning of the show, but by the end, he really was an audience favourite and had us cheering him on by the end. I feel like more could have been done with the character of ‘Prince Istuna’. This is of course nothing against the actor whatsoever, but it felt like that character was only in the story one, because there needed to be and so there was a love interest to move the plot along. Would loved to have seen more of a character arch. 

The picture shows a person dressed in a vibrant and colorful costume, seemingly performing on a stage. The person is wearing a dress made of different patterns including stripes and checks, in bright colors like pink, yellow, green, and blue. They have a big smile on their face and are wearing exaggerated makeup, including purple eyeshadow and bright red lipstick. They also have a curly purple wig that is adorned with green leaves and yellow fruits. They are extending their arms wide open and holding the ends of the dress, which is flowing. The background is blurry but seems to be a stage with a festive setting, including bunting flags.
The picture shows two performers on a stage, dressed in extravagant and colorful costumes. The background appears to be a set of a grand room with dark wood and ornate details. The performer on the left is wearing a dress made of various fabrics with different patterns such as stripes and newspaper prints. The dress is very voluminous and has a high collar. On her head, she is wearing a tall hat that looks like a stack of different sized rings, with a purple and white color scheme. She also has a green feathered ornament sticking out from the top. Her makeup is very dramatic with exaggerated eyelashes and her lips painted in an exaggerated manner. The performer on the right is wearing a suit made of patchwork fabric with various patterns including checks and floral prints. His suit has a ruffled shirt and a bow tie. He is wearing a green wig that is styled in tight curls and a hat that looks like a chef's hat but made of the same patchwork fabric as his suit. He is smiling broadly. Both performers are holding drinks in their hands and seem to be in the middle of a performance, possibly a play or a musical.

The Mercury Theatre Pantomime has become very much a Christmas tradition for so many local people, me and my family included. There’s just something about this company and the theatre that welcomes you in year after year and I know for many including myself that it really wouldn’t be the Christmas season without it, and it shows with The Mercury breaking their own record of the highest and fastest sales of tickets for ‘Sleeping Beauty’ this year! If you haven’t got tickets, then I strongly and highly recommend you get to a performance. 

In terms of accessibility, as said before there are a lot of colourful and flashing lights, which might be a difficult situation for some, but the use of colours really helps if you have some useful vision as you very easily distinguish one character from another. I sat in row F of the theatre, and I think I would have needed to be a little closer, but this took another away from the joyful experience. I would suggest anyone with low but useful vision try and get seats in row D or closer, but maybe not the front row, unless you want to be picked out on my Anthony Stuart-Hicks! 

There are two Audio Described and Touch Tour performances available and I would recommend these if you have no vision. These are Saturday 9th December 2023 at 2 pm (but this performance has a low stock of tickets as of writing) and Saturday 13th January 2024 at 7 pm (as of writing this has a good stock of tickets, but these are subject to change) if you are seriously thinking about going I would book your tickets and not wait, as these will go very quickly! You can find out more information and book tickets on The Mercury Theatre website by clicking here.

‘Sleeping Beauty’ is running at The Mercury Theatre in Colchester from Sunday 3rd December 2023 until Sunday 14th January 2024! 

Until Next Time & A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The VI Critic!