A nice comedy which provides a much-needed antidote to all the "Peter Pan" nonsense threatening to engulf the English-speaking nations during the pantomime season. This feat alone merits a handful of stars, as Peter Pan, in my humble opinion, is twee twaddle with pernicious undercurrents. (There, I've said it. No more weekend trips to London, I'm afraid - the gates of the city will remain closed for me, while petite women in pea-green leotards will throw darts at my photograph.)
The idea of a performance going disastrously, hilariously wrong is not new. ("Noises Off", for instance, tells of a play going to the dogs to such an extent that three or four burglars show up, performing exactly the same actions and mouthing exactly the same lines.) While not strikingly original, the idea is executed with such skill, verve and imagination that it turns into a minor masterpiece. The ending, with a pirate ship going on a rampage through various BBC studios, deserves to become a classic. Aaaargh !
The actors are much to be applauded for their teamwork - this is clearly a well-rehearsed and close company - and for their split-second comic timing. Moreover, rehearsing and performing some of these stunts must have taken genuine physical courage.
