Forever A Boy: Peter Pan Flies Into The North

Culture Club to the A Team, I’m A Celebratory, to The Voice, singer, actor, and fashion designer Boy George has done it all ... well almost.

His transition from pop music legend to pantomime star has always seemed inevitable. Now taking on a new challenge, the flamboyant icon has made his debut as Captain Hook in this new production of Peter Pan, which has flown into the Blackpool Opera House.

Of course, this thrilling and entertaining proposition is not just centred around one character: Jordan Conway was funny, believable, and dexterous as he flew across the stage as Peter Pan, while Georgie Hales provided a touch of glamour as the mermaid, with Ebony Feare as Tinkerbelle being delightful, along with having a sharp tongue that came with a northern accent!

Like a lot of modern-day pantomimes, the story tended to get lost along the way, with a few diversions leading to a series of individual sketches: the dress-fitting scene where Tiger Lily (Penni Tovey) models a new dress, plus Conway doing his best Elvis impression, is still hilarious, though it might have seemed even more laughable had you not known that the Chuckle Brothers had perfected the same routine to perfection over the years they starred in pantomime.

The jokes continued to come thick and fast—the comic timing between Conway and Sam Fogell as Smee was commendable, though predictably the first biggest roar of the evening was when Boy George made his initial entrance on a huge galleon that took centre stage, singing a song about walking the plank.

“There will be no bad karma tonight,” offered Peter Pan to George as the singer was succinctly guided into performing his Number One hit, Karma Chameleon, as the show took on yet another guise as a pop concert.

The simple yet effective stage set was complemented by acrobats, Cirque du Soleil-style performers, sword fights, and a sound and light system that belonged in an arena as opposed to a theatre; not surprisingly, the production moves on to the big arenas following the Blackpool debut.

Fans of Boy George will not be disappointed, as the inclusion of the big Culture Club hits Do You Really Want to Hurt Me and The War Song were also performed with George still having a soulful voice along with a richer and more mature tone than forty years ago.

A giant battle where the audience threw blow-up-style cannon balls at Hook and his ship provided an interactive moment, though really the big hit here was Boy George; without him, this could have just been another pantomime. His presence, performance, and perfection made a huge difference and lifted this version of Peter Pan to a higher level.

The Karma jokes continued with George being labelled a “Karma Comedian,” while the strong supporting cast provided the perfect foil for the somewhat flimsy plot. For fans of the songs of Culture Club, you might find that Christmas has arrived early for you should you decide to see this elaborate panto, which looks set to continue to keep on flying to new heights.