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.
If something looks perfect from the outside does it mean it actually is?
That’s the concept that director Jay Roach brings to life in the new movie The Roses released in August 2025.
The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses which was originally based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.
Although unlike the novel the characters instead are shown to struggle with their different careers either rising or falling.
It has been adapted, in my opinion, to make it resonate with women a lot more as in both the novel and first film the women were stay at home mothers who felt unsatisfied.
This appears to be one of the main reasons for the divorces with Barbara (Kathleen Turner) eventually turning to a catering business.
However, within the new modernised version Ivy’s (Olivia Colman) successful career is a point of contempt for Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch).
While it starts off with a more realistic depiction of parents struggling with the loss of a career and a start of a new one, it slowly divulges itself away from the typical divorcee movie.
I watched this movie at the Everyman (luxury I know!) and the grip it had on me as an audience member was outstanding.
With the selection of actors involved in this movie it’s no surprise that there is a mix of comedy and drama making it a satirical black comedy.
While it was delightful to watch, I feel that some audience members might criticise the realism of the movie.
Yet I go to the cinema to be transported from real life so the mix of realism and shock factor was highly entertaining.
A contrasting mix of comedy and darkness
The performances from the actors was exactly what the movie needed.
The chemistry, or lack thereof, between Colman and Cumberbatch was so believable that you would think that they were married in real life.
Their delivery of both the comedy and the rage was again so believable that it sucked me as the audience into what was the “dirty laundry” of their personal lives.
With a supporting cast including Andy Samberg, Allison Janney and others their characters mostly brought the comedy relief needed in to break the movie up.
They also gave us a contrast to the main relationship being shown which helped us recognise how some of the actions were exaggerated for our benefit.
However, some critics online have noted that while it is undeniably a satirical dark comedy, the dark comedy seemed to be held back some times, therefore not always giving it the edge it needed.
I think that for a 15 certificate movie it had just the right amount to stretch over its wide audience.
Another criticism that The Roses received was that the contrast between the comedy and cruelty was sometimes so abrupt that it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
At some points the comedy seemed out of place which almost gave the film a sort of jarring feel as they changed between the emotions.
The ending is ambiguous which can have mixed reactions from the audience.
Some may like to have the movie tied up neatly at the end whereas others like that they can believe what they want to believe.
I am the latter in the case of this movie as I enjoyed the fact that I could believe either the more macabre ending or not.
To me the ending, without giving any spoilers, had me on the edge of my seat with a real 360 turn.
Again it had the perfect amount of shock factor and comedy which highlighted the overall tone throughout.
I felt that it drew the entire film together nicely especially with the ending performance from Coleman and Cumberbatch.
Winchester original artist Sam Bishop has been releasing music for almost a decade but after not releasing a new song for the last two years, Just a Little is set to be release this Friday, February 7th.
Sam first got into music when he was in secondary school, after watching Imagine Dragons in the O2 he fell in love with their support act.
As an only child he has always been a creative person, writing stories and songs in his free time.
The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
Sam also enjoyed:”I enjoy feeling nervous but eventually acting felt like second nature, so I decided to give music a go.”
After getting into music in school Sam released his first song in 2016.
“It has been trial and error since with each year getting better and better performing and writing more.”
I asked him whether he has always written his own songs, and he explained: “The first thought has never been how can I perform live but how can I write?
“That’s the angle I attack music with.”
For Sam music has always been a way to express how he feels.
But what’s the best part of the writing process?
Well, for Sam it’s the feeling of a song coming together as a whole, he compared the writing process to a tap, that it slowly drips until it starts to flow.
“You get a melody and a good lyric. It feels amazing when it all comes together it’s so special, it’s definitely a process it takes time and trial and error.”
Sam’s new single Just a Little, is no different, going through this same process, and has now come together ready for its release this Friday.
It all started in last summer, when Sam was on a flight from Miami to LA, he wasn’t interested in watching the typical films you find on airplanes, and felt creative, this is where the chorus for Just a Little was born.
Being away from family for a prolonged amount of time through working away and travelling gave Sam the feeling of wanting to be connected and keep in touch with people’s lives whilst being away.
Just a Little is about questioning whether you’re enough.
It’s a song full of vulnerability and expressing that and truly allowing yourself to feel those feelings.
After Sam’s travels he got home and revisited the song, from there it started to take off and really build.
He sent the song to his friend Toby who he describes as an unbelievable guitarist, and an excellent musician.
Toby then worked on the song as a production, whilst Sam worked on the lyrics.
Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
By mid-November the song was finished and now is the time for its release.
This song has a different sound to Sam’s previous songs, and he’s excited for people to hear this new style of music from him.
“It’s a very personal song washed under happy and jolly music.
“It’s very current and popular; something you’d expect to hear on the radio.”
Sam hopes that that the release allows people to connect with not just the lyrics but how the song feels.
Following the release Sam has big plans for the next year.
This is the start of a new sound for him, and he hopes more songs like this will follow with maybe one or two before the end of the year.
There are also a number of gigs to be announced for the next three months that he is looking forward to performing.
At the end of our interview Sam said: “Songs will happen, it’s what I love to do it’s so expressive as an art form and it’s something I will always want to do.
“Just a Little was kind of a one off, as a process it was very natural.
After not releasing a song for two years, once the lyrics were finished and he got the song back from Toby he knew this was the one that this would be the re-release of his music as an original artist.
Just a Little is out at midnight February 7th.
For announcements of new music and dates of performances you can follow Sam on Instagram @sambishopmusician.
The wait is over for Winchester’s burger lovers, as a new Five Guys restaurant has opened in the heart of the city centre.
The American burger chain, world famous for its customisable smash burgers and seemingly bottomless fries opened on Monday, December 2nd.
It was a soft launch without any ceremony for the restaurant, but the new staff and management immediately had a growing queue of customers on their hands.
Five Guys has taken one of three units from the former Debenhams department store. The other two are Nando’s which opened last month and Pizza Express.
Founded in Virginia in 1986, Five Guys launched in the UK in 2013 and has become a popular choice for burger lovers, including celebrities such as Tommy Fury, Mollie King, Ed Sheeran, and Maya Jama.
There are now 1,800 restaurants worldwide including 171 in the UK.
The new Winchester branch is expected to be a popular addition to the city’s food scene.
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