PERFORMERS and producers are all celebrating the most successful pantomime ever at Worthing Pavilion Theatre.

The sell-out Peter Pan show has brought in the crowds with Dick and Dom star Richard McCourt, pop and West End star Amelia Lily, X Factor singer Lloyd Daniels as Peter Pan and comedian Patrick Monahan.

Paul Holman, producer of the show and chief executive of Paul Holman Associates, said: “It has been the most successful pantomime ever shown at Worthing Pavilion with the highest turnout yet.

“It is based on the traditional tale but with more modern influences in comparison to other tried and tested Peter Pan productions.

“What makes the hard work so worthwhile is seeing that all members of the family can come and enjoy our pantomime, regardless of age.”

The show was developed by production company PHA, which puts on pantomimes all over the country, with Peter Pan being shown until Sunday.

PHA has partnered with Northbrook College, based on campuses in Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea, to allow students to get involved and perform alongside leading cast members.

Mr Holman said: “My company has presented 11 different Christmas pantomimes around the country this time round, all becoming great successes over the festive period.

“In total we have over 4,000 costumes that are kept at our company storage space in Derbyshire and are then distributed to the relevant theatres.

“In Worthing we have had many young children in the show to dance and there has been a lot of community involvement in all aspects of the pantomime.”

The experienced producer says that the comedy value to be found in the show is very strong, with modern music found throughout to make the story as contemporary as possible for audiences.

The actors, actresses and students have been hard at work performing between 10-12 shows a week since December 2, 2016.

A percentage of all royalties from the pantomime in Worthing are sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital, as is done with all other Peter Pan shows in the UK.

Worthing Pavilion Theatre will now be offering discounts and deals on tickets to encourage a high turnout in the lead up to the final show this Sunday.

SILLY FUN IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF SAUCY

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan ★★★★ at the Pavilion Theatre Marine Parade, Worthing, until January 8

THIS year’s Christmas show from Worthing Theatre takes strands of J M Barrie’s classic play and interweaves them with elements of traditional pantomime.

In doing so this hybrid gives bloom to a riot of colour with its costumes/scenery; frenetic comic action along with groan inducing jokes – including a Countdown style of pirate-themed cracker jokes.

Technically a difficult show to mount but this production solves the problems seamlessly with film projection, slick transitions and faultless flying sequences.

Panto purists will be delighted that tradition is upheld amid all the X Factor pop music and celebrities.

Corny jokes, kitchen slapstick and the skeleton routine still hold their own.

Strong performances ensure that the audience – young and old – enjoy an evening of theatre magic with Lloyd Daniels and Amelia Lily (X Factor contestants) adding acting to their musical talent.

Comedy comes from all quarters – Patrick Monahan squeezes every ounce of dastardliness out of the role of Hook while Richard McCourt’s puns and gormless routines go down well.

Every panto has to have a dame and Simon Howe’s creation is a balanced delight.

The double entendres are the right side of sauciness.

Barrie Jerram