5 reasons why Floral Pavilion's Peter Pan Panto will be a perfect family show this Christmas

Panto season’s nearly here and at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton that means a magical show full of adventure, family fun and an award-winning baddie!

A trip to the Panto makes a great festive treat, so if you’ve not already got your tickets, here are 5 reasons why Floral Pavilion’s The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook will be a perfect family show this Christmas …

It’s a proper traditional Panto

Panto is a real art form unlike anything else you see at the theatre and Floral Pavilion’s Peter Pan Panto absolutely brings together all the best of the tradition in a sequel to the classic story. It’s genuinely all-ages entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, and you know that nans and grandads will have just as much fun as little ones cheering on Peter and Tinkerbell and booing the villainous Hook.

The cast is fantastic and features some familiar TV and stage stars

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan has a brilliant cast including Tom Lister as Captain Hook who picked up the award for Best Villain at the first Great British Pantomime Awards. Tom, who soap fans will know from his time as Carl King in Emmerdale, will be back in Neverland for his Floral Pavilion debut alongside West End star Danny Colligan as Peter Pan and Sean Jones (much-loved by audiences as Mickey in Blood Brothers) who returns for a fifth year as Smee. They’re joined by a stellar cast of experienced West End performers to create a spectacular show.

You’ll love the costumes, sets and special effects

Like all the best pantos, the costumes and sets in the Floral Pavilion’s are bright, bold and really add extra sparkle to a show that’s already pure escapism. And because it’s Peter Pan everyone – especially younger theatregoers – will love seeing the flying sequences.

And, of course, there’s lots of singing and dancing

Panto wouldn’t be panto without songs and dance routines and The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook has plenty. Audiences will recognise big chart hits which have been re-worked for the show and there are some great singers in the cast including Danny as Peter Pan who made it through to the live finals of BBC1’s talent search series Let it Shine.

It could be a pre- or post-Christmas family treat

The Floral Pavilion’s Panto runs from Friday December 6 until Sunday January 5 so it’s ideal for either getting the whole family excited for Christmas, or for having something to look forward to afterwards. And tickets would make a nice gift for that someone who’s tricky to buy for! There are dedicated school performances and a number of relaxed performances for people who might prefer something less formal, especially anyone on the autistic spectrum, people with dementia or with special educational needs. The storyline stays the same, so the magic isn’t lost, but loud noises or explosions are taken out or reduced and the audience can move around the auditorium and come and go.