Greenwich Theatre’s Peter Pan: A Pantomime Adventure is the rare festive production that actually earns its “for all ages” badge. This isn’t panto by numbers or nostalgia on autopilot, it’s a sharp, self-aware piece of theatre that understands its audience spans toddlers, teens and parents who’ve seen it all before.
Front and centre is Anthony Spargo as Captain Hook, and he’s absolutely brilliant. Hook is played like a headline act, strutting through scenes with comic precision, a sharp tongue and total command of the room. Every entrance lands, every pause is weaponised, and the audience is with him from the off. It’s a performance that knows panto lives or dies on timing… and Spargo never misses.
Crucially, the writing – also by Spargo – is doing some heavy lifting here. The script is densely packed but never messy: jokes for the kids, rapid-fire visual gags, a knowingly Gen Z Tinkerbell (played with bite by Olivia Williamson) and plenty of innuendo aimed squarely at the adults.
What elevates this above standard festive fare is that the plot is genuinely absorbing. Rather than feeling like a loose string of gags, the story has momentum and clarity, pulling the audience through Neverland with purpose. It keeps younger viewers locked in while giving older ones something to follow, not just laugh at – no small feat in a two-hour panto.
And this isn’t theoretical. Our two-year-old sat still for the full two hours, completely engaged – the toughest audience member of all. If the plot holds their attention and the adults are still laughing, something is clearly working.
Samuel Bailey’s Peter Pan brings confident physicality and swagger, while Nikita Johal’s Wendy grounds the chaos with warmth and emotional clarity. Louise Cielecki’s Smee is a reliable scene-stealer, working in perfect sync with Hook to keep the energy high and the laughs coming.
Musically, the show hits hard. Popular songs are reworked with smart, story-specific lyrics and the live band is brilliant, injecting momentum and immediacy into the production. It feels alive, loud and unfiltered in the best possible way.
Is it perfect? No – and that’s the point. The slight rough edges give it bite, spontaneity and a sense that this is live theatre happening now, not something ironed flat.
This is panto with intent: sharp, current and confident enough to trust its audience. Jokes for the kids (including a mention for 6,7), a Gen Z glow-up for teens and enough knowing humour for adults to feel seen. Peter Pan doesn’t just fly – it holds your attention all the way to the final curtain.
Peter Pan: A New Pantomime Adventure runs until January 11th at Greenwich Theatre.