"The magic of panto lives in the audience's reaction; every boo, cheer and giggle counts!" 

This year's production of Peter Pan at Leamington's Royal Spa Centre lives up to that very sentiment.

A good pantomime relies on its audience's relationship with its characters, and each and every one of the Peter Pan cast rises to the challenge. The result is a lively, memorable and wonderfully entertaining show - for both the adults and the kids!

From the very start, the whole audience is glued to the stage, with cheers for the heroes Peter Pan (Charlie Smart) and his fairy side-kick Tinker Bell (Hollie Smith-Nelson), the fantastic Dolly Darling (JP McCue) and boos for her evil twin sister, Captain Holly Hook - who she can't come face-to-face with for obvious reasons.

Alongside presenting the well-known story of Peter Pan, with the eponymous Peter taking the three Darling children on a wonderful adventure to Neverland, and escaping the evil likes of Captain Holly Hook, this panto is filled with surprises.

A good pantomime relies on its audience's relationship with its characters, and each and every one of the Peter Pan cast rises to the challenge (image supplied)

Keeping it local, there are jokes about the lack of difference between walking the plank and walking through Nuneaton and even a sneaky six-seven joke. 

And if you are sitting in the front rows, be warned, you may get wet, thanks to the water guns!

Peter Pan runs at the Royal Leamington Spa Centre until Sunday 4 January 2026 (image supplied)

While the costume design is great overall, particular credit must be given to Dolly's (JP McCue) outfits, and her ability to change between them at least ten times during the show.

From sparkling numbers, a fluffy Labubu outfit to a Christmas pudding, this panto has got it all. 

Praise should be given to the actors' comic timing, with laughs met for each joke, whether aimed at the children, adults or both.

From sparkling numbers, a fluffy Labubu outfit to a Christmas pudding, this panto has got it all (image supplied)

This production also marks a significant moment for the Spa Centre, as it bids farewell to two long-standing panto favourites, JP McCue and Sean Dodds, who have been part of the theatre's Christmas tradition for more than a decade.

The pair, who wrote the show, have been at the Spa Centre for twelve years. 

Speaking on his departure, Dodds who plays Smee said: "We are so excited for the panto season to begin, and we have some news! After 12 wonderful years, both JP and I have decided that this year's Peter Pan will be our last pantomime at the Spa Centre. Just like Peter, we're off on some new adventures! So this Christmas, more than ever, we'd love you to join us one last time to make some truly special festive memories together."

JP McCue (left) and Sean Dodds (right) (image supplied)

JP McCue, who plays Dolly and Holly Hook in the panto, added: "That's right, we're hanging up our wigs! For over a decade you've laughed with us, booed the baddies, and sung your hearts out, and we can't thank you enough.

"So, let's make this year truly unforgettable! We promise to bring you the biggest, boldest, and most magical show the Spa Centre has ever seen packed with heart, hilarity, and tonnes of glitter!"

And a night of hilarity and glitter it is!

Praise should be given to the actors' comic timing, with laughs met for each joke, whether aimed at the children, adults or both (image supplied)

Fitting with the theme of the Peter Pan, this year the panto is supporting the Warwickshire-wide charity, The Friendship Project, which matches children and young people, who are in need, for a variety of reasons, with volunteers.

Peter Pan runs at the Royal Leamington Spa Centre until Sunday 4 January 2026

Tickets can be bought online here.

Peter Pan at Leamington's Royal Spa Centre (image supplied)