TuckShop's Peter Pan, Phoenix Theatre review
If panto wasn’t camp enough this drag show version of Peter Pan showing at The Phoenix Theatre is next level and is very much adult only and not for the feint hearted. TuckShop’s Peter Pan pantomime is from Christopher Clegg the creator of Death Drop, Cool Rider, Gals Aloud and written by Gareth Joyner (A Christmas Carole, Dick Whittington).
Billed as an ‘All Drag Panto’, with strong language and a 16 plus age limit, the show is definitely for adults who cantolerate increased levels of swearing and sexual references. Bearing this in mind they acknowledge from the stage and in the programme that the title has been licensed and presented with the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity, humorously insinuating the children’s charity may not know what they have gotten themselves into and to keep it between us.
This is not a big budget show but doesn’t feel like it needs to be. The set simply consisted of five free standing painted boards with mounted props which could be spun round to create a new back drop. They probably worked under certain restrictions as the theatre also stages Stranger Things most evenings.The stars mostly made their names on RuPaul’s Drag Race on TV and on the club circuit around the UK, including Drag Race UK Winner Ginger Johnson as Hook. Hook’s hat was grandly over the top.
The first half of the show was not as engaging as the second half which wasn’t helped by sound issues. Those sat in thecircle seats struggled to understand the first flurry of gags. At one point the sound dropped out completely during a monologue which was glossed over where perhaps a bit of comic acknowledgement would have been welcomed.
Little remains of the classic storyline except the presence of the key characters and occasional references to places and events in the Peter Pan tale. This version goes here, there and everywhere with a pivot to the reality TV series “The Traitors” in the second half. The cast must have been reenacting a viral scene as the audience joined in word for word with the performers. For those that are not hard-core fans of the The Traitors just had to sit the scene out, similarly with references to Come Dine with Me and Drag Race. From the sound of the boisterous laughing audience there were many groups of like-minded friends in the audience for whom the show seemed to be on point.
The ensemble of three dancers (Cameron Everett, Zach Parkin and Theo Simpson) smashed it with near perfect dance skills and fun choreography with a lot of grinding and rolling around on the floor which fit the tone of the play to a tee. The sheer fitness level and skill needed to dance in their mermaid tails for one number was exceptional. I am still in awe.
Kitty Scott-Claus’ performance as Wendy Darling was the most disciplined performance as she stays demure and in character throughout with the most insanely posh accent you will ever hear. The pop music numbers are fun, with Scott-Claus and the ensemble singing Kesha’s Joyride as a raunchy bedtime story.
Ginger Johnson as Captain Hook delivers a take on Chappell Roan’s Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl to start the second act. Peter Pan (played by Drag King Richard Energy) is randy but reminds the audience on the regular to not forget to “ask for consent.”
The highlight came from original, repetitive songs with altered lyrics (like Twelve days of Christmas) that gradually speed up and create chaos on stage among the cast. No one seemed to know what was happening—but that unpredictability was exactly what made it so much fun!
Overall, the show has a slap dash nature and is perhaps a little under rehearsed so do not expect a highly polished performance, but their core audience’s enthusiasm is contagious and they seem to have gotten the raucous absurdevening they were after. I asked my neighbouring audience member what he thought. He said it “could’ve been better” and I have to say I tend to agree.
Date: Until 6 January 2025. Location: The Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JP. Price: From £25. Book now. (16+ only).
Review by Natascha Milsom
The V&A’s Fashion in Motion event celebrates the collaboration between designer Loweth and artist Hambling, with a tribute to Derek Jarman this January.
Casse-Croûte · Berenjak Borough · Lolo · Sollip · OMA · Camille · Aqua Shard · Rambutan ·Borough Market · White Cube · Fashion and Textile Museum · Science Gallery London · Cahoots · Labombe Wine Bar · Nine Lives · Oblix at The Shard
Barbican Conservatory · Sky Garden · Crossrail Place Roof Garden · Princess of Wales Conservatory at Kew Gardens · Palm House at Kew Gardens · Temperate House at Kew Gardens
The Hayward Gallery has an exciting programme lined up for 2025, featuring bold and thought-provoking exhibitions. From pioneering feminist artists to acclaimed Japanese contemporary masters. Here’s what’s coming up…
The National Gallery will open overnight on January 17, 2025, for the final weekend of its sell-out exhibition, Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers.
Escapes brings free cinema experiences back for 2025, offering tickets to a special 4K screening of Point Break at over 150 UK cinemas, with more monthly screenings planned throughout the year.
Dian Joy is a British-Nigerian interdisciplinary artist whose work delves into the intersections of identity, digital culture, and the fluid boundaries between truth and fiction. Her practice is rooted in examining how narratives evolve and shape perceptions, particularly in the digital age.
The São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) · Pinacoteca do Estado · Casa Bradesco · Instituto Cultural Tomie Ohtake · Japan House São Paulo · São Paulo Museum of Modern Art (MAM) · Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of São Paulo (MAC USP) · Museu do Ipiranga · Casa das Rosas · Street Art · The São Paulo Biennial
The Face Magazine: Culture Shift · Edvard Munch Portraits · Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting · Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award · Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World · Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize
The powerful installation exploring migration and human experience is on display in the museum’s new Reflections Room until 25 May 2025.
Gauthier Soho · Anglo Thai · Plates · Edit · Tendril · Kapara, Soho · Holy Carrot · Kin · Gold · Itadakizen · Club Mexican · Parle Pantry Vegan Cafe · Ima Exmouth Market · Andu Café · Mali Vegan Thai · Tofu Vegan · Jam Delish · En Root · Third Culture Deli · All Nations Vegan House · Naifs · Bubala · Jikoni · 222 Vegan Cuisine · The Gate · Wave · Facing Heaven · Borough 22 Doughnuts…
Just an hour’s train from its louder neighbour Zurich, itself a short flight from the UK, Lucerne is an absolute jewel of a city…
Explore the rich biodiversity of Peru through orchids, art, and culture at Kew Gardens’ Orchid Festival from 1 February 2025…
Opening in Marylebone in Spring 2025, Odyssey’s first UK campus will introduce a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum aimed at fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a global perspective in children aged 0-5 years old…
This expansive exhibition, featuring over 500 artworks and installations exploring the enduring impact of flowers on art, fashion, science, and culture, will open in February 2025 at the Saatchi Gallery…
From Michelin-starred restaurants to rooftops with breathtaking views of the London New Year’s Eve fireworks and lively post-dinner parties, this is your ultimate roundup of the top places to dine at on New Year’s Eve 2024…
Youngju Joung is a South Korean artist known for her paintings of shanty village landscapes, illuminated by warm light. Inspired by memories of her childhood in Seoul, she uses crumpled hanji paper to create textured, lived-in spaces that reflect both poverty and affluence.
Tate Modern will commemorate its 25th anniversary with a weekend of free events and exhibitions in May 2025…
The groundbreaking showcase of the German artist’s visceral work, exploring the body, identity, and corporeality, will open at Goldsmiths CCA in February 2025.
The Design Museum’s exhibition will feature Pamela Anderson’s iconic Baywatch swimsuit and explore the evolution of swimwear over the past 100 years, with a focus on its cultural impact and design innovations, opening in March 2025…
Jasleen Kaur wins the 2024 Turner Prize for her exploration of culture, identity, and resilience through sound, music, and everyday objects…
Royal Ballet and Opera · V&A · The Royal Exchange · Pan Pacific London · Hotel Chocolat x Sea Containers · Claridge’s · Battersea Power Station · South Bank · St. Pancras International · Bond Street
Ann Tracy’s career began with a focus on figurative abstraction, developed during studies at Boston University where she earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in sculpture. Throughout her career, she has drawn inspiration from artists such as Philip Guston and Piero Della Francesca…
John-Paul Pryor is a prominent figure in London’s creative scene, known for his work as an arts writer, creative director, editor, and songwriter for the acclaimed art-rock band The Sirens of Titan…
Tis the season to enjoy London’s Festive High Teas. We have carefully curated a list of Afternoon Teas in various locations and price points to consider this month…
Passes for the week-long celebration of creativity, music, and innovation go on sale 21 November, with exclusive offers available for early buyers…
Victoria Miro · Motion in Stillness: Dance and the Human Body in Movement · Feast · County Hall Pottery · Nicole Eisenman · Sadie Coles HQ · Parmigianino: The Vision of Saint Jerome · National Gallery · Feliciano Centurión: Hope in Bloom · Cecilia Brunson Projects · Jeff Wall · White Cube Bermondsey · Justin Dingwall · Doyle Wham · Group Exhibition: Reverb · Stephen Friedman Gallery…
The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998 · Francis Bacon: Human Presence · Felicity Aylieff: Expressions in Blue · Haegue Yang: Leap Year · Hyundai Commission: Mire Lee · Sammy Baloji · Sonia Boyce: An Awkward Relation · Hew Locke: what have we here? · Nicola L. · Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit · Letizia Battaglia · Lauren Halsey: emajendat · The World of Tim Burton · Wildlife Photographer of the Year…
A hilarious new exhibition by viral artist Babak Ganjei, opening in London and Glasgow this November, transforms Britain’s most embarrassing text blunders into art as part of a campaign by IRN-BRU and FUNKIN Cocktails.
As ski season kicks off, resorts like St. Moritz, Gstaad, Courchevel, Aspen, Whistler, and Verbier are becoming vibrant cultural destinations. Beyond world-class slopes, these hotspots offer a range of art exhibitions and outdoor sculptures. This guide highlights the must-see art exhibitions this winter across Europe, the US, and Japan…