Culture
REVIEW: Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Mayflower Theatre
Mischief return to The Mayflower with a perfect rendition of Peter Pan. Well, when its meant to all go wrong I’d count that as perfect. Mischief (‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ & ‘The Goes Wrong Show’) have taken their successful comedy on the road again and have landed in Southampton. This is an extremely clever take on a story that we all know and love, and is rightly a great laugh for all ages. The comedy is silly, slapstick, and absurd – even for people who think they have a ‘higher-brow’ sense of humour, they’ll have a smile on their face throughout. Peter Pan is a story that dates over a century old, that has been retold countless times in countless different ways – most notably as a pantomime… Oh no it hasn’t! Oh Yes it has!
I apologise… Oh no he does-
Carrying on, the way in which writers ‘Henry Lewis’, ‘Jonathon Sawyer’ and ‘Henry Shields’ have told this one, is unlike any of the others! As J M Barrie (Peter Pan creator) said, “[Peter Pan is] ostensibly a holiday entertainment for children but really a play for grown-up people”. A statement ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ solidifies.
I have mentioned how Mischief retell the story in a way we’ve never seen before. That’s not strictly 100% true. The Peter Pan aspect of the play is the exact same story that we all know. It’s the rest of the story around Peter Pan that’s the clever part. We basically follow the members of Cornley Drama Society in their yearly performance which this year happens to be, you guessed it, Peter Pan. So what we’re watching is essentially a group of actors, acting as actors who have got roles in their societies Peter Pan play – but as the name suggest, nothing quite goes to plan. And the things you think would go to plan, still don’t go to plan.
One thing that I really loved about this play is the theming and attention to detail. Not only in the design aspect of things (which we’ll come onto) but in the general feel of the theatre and making you feel a part of the story. As the audience, we are just another character in the narrative, but not in a pantomime-y way (well not for all of it anyway). As people are getting to their seats in the auditorium, you can see people on stage fixing set and lights etc who we presume are the stage managers. Things start to get chaotic and we then see some characters and the presumed ‘stage managers’ start mingling with the crowd, as well as some of the other actors. The amount of mayhem that this causes feels like your head is constantly on a swivel, looking at all the different things that are taking place all before the show has even ‘started’. It’s such a refreshing way to help build the mood of the play, almost starting as they mean to go on. Outstanding!
The whole cast are also fantastic. I don’t think there is one performance that can really be singled out, as it felt like we were laughing at every other line of dialogue. If not at the dialogue or its delivery, then at something that was being done in the background instead. Just amazing! It’s been a long time since I’ve heard a WHOLE theatre erupt in giggles, let alone multiple times. I also just wanted to acknowledge how hard and well-polished a job these actors are doing. You may think, “It’s meant to go wrong, it doesn’t matter if somebody trips up on their lines. They can just make it up, we’d never know the difference.” And you’d be half right in thinking that. We would never know if something were to ‘go wrong’ and the actors do ad-lib. However, for things to ‘go wrong’ so smoothly, everybody’s timing, positioning, cues, and so much more all have to be perfect. There’s so much to remember and so much that could go drastically wrong if any of these things are slightly off. ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ is an intricate well oiled machine, that couldn’t work properly without it’s superbly talented cast and crew all doing their bit.

Technically, you can also see why this play has been to the highest heights of the West End, Broadway and even TV. The set is so impressive and actually ingenious. Like all major Broadway shows, there’s a revolving stage depicting different scenes as the play progresses. There’s also so many moving parts to the set, most of which play a gag role (or setting up for one at least). With the set being so intricate it once again means there’s a lot capable of going wrong, so all the actors (and real stage crew) all have to be on their A-game. The lights again aren’t super intricate, but they do play a very integral role for certain jokes, and just the story in general. The stage has to be lit like its a local play, but the effects used for when things go wrong is brilliant. I personally loved the ‘power surge’ that was happening throughout the whole theatre at the start and in the interval as a result of what had happened on stage. Also the use of blacklight was genius and so effective!
As for sound and music, it’s another person like all of the backstage crew, that had to be 100% tuned in to the show. There are again, multiple audio gags throughout the play that sometimes cue dialogue or get cued from dialogue. There are also a couple of musical numbers in the show, which I think add a little bit of a shift when the ongoing jokes could be starting to drag a little bit. On this note, a quick shoutout to Jamie Birkett, who played the role of ‘Annie’, because what an incredible voice! I also mentioned earlier about how Mischief had gone above and beyond in their theming, and this may be a review first for me because I need to mention their programme. Usually with programmes you get them to get a little bit of history on the show, a word for the director/writer and then to see who the cast and crew is. This programme, again immerses you into their world and further brings the audience into the story. The first half of the programme is actually set up like it’s a programme for Cornley Youth Theatres production, with ads and games and talking to the actors (the characters actors). It’s just like reading a joke book and I’m so glad I took the time to read through it, because there’s even more laughs you wouldn’t want to miss. Such an amazing touch!
I saw the version of ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ that aired on BBC one back in 2016 on New Years Eve, but I’m so happy that I’ve now seen it live too. Even though there were a couple of jokes that I remember, the situational comedy behind a show like this, and the atmospheric extras of actually being there are what make it that much better. From the audience, you can share an energy with the actors that you just can’t at home, meaning we both thrive off of each other which makes for a much more enjoyable experience. If you’re in the market for some light hearted, stomach aching laughs, you definitely won’t want to miss out on this one. It’s easy to see why this show is so successful and as it continues on its UK tour with a stop in the West End over Christmas, I wish everybody involved the very best of luck.
Culture
Hampstead movie review
With the passing of Diane Keaton I decided that I would watch some of her old work.
I chose to watch the 2017 movie Hampstead as it seemed to be quite a good representation of her acting skills.
It is based loosely (trying not to give the plot away, however it did come out eight years ago!) on Harry Hallowes real life, he used to live on a plot in Hampstead Heath and then managed to claim rights on it.
One of the best parts of this movie was the chemistry between Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson.
It felt natural and not strained which definitely made it more believable for me.
Their chemistry also helped make their characters seem more natural making their performance that much better.
I’m not one who normally enjoys romantic (some may say sappy) movies but the mixture of romance and social justice themes in this movie made it not too uncomfortable.
It gives the audience a feel-good time with us feeling like we are doing something right, due to us deciding that Gleeson’s character is right.
It made me feel like I was standing up for the underdog and marginalised communities.
I found it quite clever how they made it an easy movie to watch, not too many sad themes, while also fitting in the themes of community and standing up for the right thing.
I would say that if you are feeling a bit down then this would be a very good movie too watch.
A perfect movie for a light matinee
As a nature person, the setting of this film was spectacular.
I really liked the idea of an expanse of nature so close to a city.
It creates a very picturesque backdrop for the movie which further added to the warmthness portrayed throughout the movie.
I especially liked where Keaton’s character ended up living in the end.
However, as always there are critics.
With this movie one of the big critiques was that the story was very predictable and followed the same formula that a lot of other romance movies used.
There was just too many cliches which made it painful for the audience to witness again and due to the lack of surprises it was not the most engaging film to watch.
This goes hand in hand with the fact that the characters where more broad and stereotypical than they should have been.
The other big critique from this movie was that people thought it lacked tone and depth, saying that while it did touch on different societal problems such as eviction, class divide and property divide it didn’t pronounce it enough.
It felt a bit like dipping one toe into the water of the problems.
While I do agree that it didn’t delve deep into the problems society faces, I didn’t think that was what the movie was about or what the directors were trying to get across to the audience.
I believe that it was simply highlighting these issues in an easy to understand way.
Culture
Are Max Martin and Shellback the downfall of Taylor Swift’s latest album?
The release of Taylor Swift’s 12th LP, The Life of a Showgirl, has been met with divided opinions.
Although a record breaking 2.7m albums were sold on the first day of release, not all these buyers are satisfied.
It might be a push to say the majority are. Online, listeners argue this album is “millennial cringe” and that Swift is showing her “true capitalist self”.
Alongside Swift herself, Max Martin and Shellback produced the album.
Long-time collaborators, they previously helped define 1989 and Reputation. But this marks the first time the trio have exclusively worked together.
1989 and Reputation catapulted Swift to global pop fame.
Through hits such as Blank Space, Shake it Off and Getaway Car, Martin and Shellback provided Swift a clean break from her country roots, throwing her into the deep end of mainstream pop.
However, a decade later the formula feels tired.
So why has The Life of a Showgirl fallen so flat?
Following Swift’s last album The Tortured Poets Department, a lyrically rich 31 song LP radiating heartbreak and introspection, the synthetic glitz and glamour of Showgirl feel false.
In a post-Folklore world, where Swift proved her strength as a lyricist with the help of producer Jack Antonoff, the return to maximalism and Martin-Shellback production feels hollow.
With the loss of Antonoff and the return of Martin and Shellback, has Swift lost the reflective heart of her songwriting?
That’s not to say Showgirl is without merit.
Its production is faultless, and the album follows a clear and fluid theme.
But perhaps that’s the problem. In collaborating solely with Martin and Shellback, Swift may have created her most technically accomplished album but her least emotionally convincing one.
Whether this is a misstep or the purpose of the album remains to be seen.
But the reception of The Life of a Showgirl questions the path Swift is on.
Now the world dominating Eras Tour is over, is the peak of Swift’s career over too?
Culture
The End of Strictly Come Dancing as we know it?
We all know Strictly Come Dancing as one of the most popular prime time slots on a Saturday night.
But could this be the end of Strictly as we know it?
The BBCs show has struggled recently with allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour, but now Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have released a joint statement to say they are passing the sparkly button on at the end of this series.
Their Instagram statement in full:
We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.
Tess & Claud
Following their joint statement they each released their own statements as a follow up.
Tess Daly’s statement in full:
After 21 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing. It’s hard to put into words what this show has meant to me, so here goes… Strictly has been more than just a television programme. It’s felt like having a third child, a second family, and a huge part of my life since that very first show back in 2004. I knew then it was something special, but I could never have imagined the magic it would bring.
Strictly has always been about joy, celebration, and bringing people together – and I’m so proud to have played a small part in something that continues to mean so much to so many.
From that very first series, I had the great honour of standing alongside the incomparable Sit Bruce Forsyth.
Brucie set the tine for everything that Strictly became: warmth, wit, connection, and pure showbiz magic.
I have always been in awe of our superbly talented professional dancers, our magnificent judges, and all the celebrities who have taken part. I absolutely adore our brilliant crew – every single member of the Strictly team who have worked tirelessly to make this show what it is. You are the very best in the business – the kindest, most fun, most loyal, and definitely the hardest-working team in television.
Thank you for your laughter, the friendship, and the countless memories over all these years. You’ve filled my heart in ways I’ll never forget. I’ll miss you all so much.
And to you – the viewers at home – the biggest thank you of all. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes for over two decades.
Your love, loyalty, and unwavering support have meant the world. You’ve carried us through every series, and that has never, ever been taken for granted. You are the heart of this show, and I feel so lucky to have shared it with you. Being part of your weekend from September to Christmas for the past 21 years has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my career.
To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared. I’m so grateful to have you as my friend for life.
This isn’t goodbye to glitter, sequins, or Saturday night sparkle (I could never say goodbye to those!). Strictly will forever hold a special place in my heart – but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins.
With all my love and endless gratitude, Tess x
Tess Daly has been on the show since its very first episode seeing over 300 celebrities enter the ballroom and join the competition.
She started the show with Sir Bruce Forsyth, with Claudia Winkleman being a part of their presenting team hosting the sister show It Takes Two.
The duo made history in 2014 becoming the first female presenting duo of a prime time slot.
As a team they have welcomed almost 200 celebrities into the ballroom.
Over their time on the show they have also seen nine judges join and leave the show.
Claudia Winkleman’s statement reads:
It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career. From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for. I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to cohosting on Saturday nights.
Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing. I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent, I look forward to watching them take Strictly to new heights. As for Tess – I’m so so lucky I got to stand next to you. You’re funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.
With two of the biggest jobs in the BBC now up for grabs who will we see step into the glitz and glammer of Saturday night at Strictly Come Dancing?
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