Posted: Tuesday 1st April 2008

Peter Pan is one of the world’s best-known and most-loved stories. Already been told several times through film (Disney’s Peter Pan, Hook and Finding Neverland), the story is getting a new lease of life thanks to Spanish touring production Peter Pan El Musical. The show is making West End history as the first ever Spanish musical sung and spoken entirely in Spanish with English subtitles to aid the audience. Starring Spanish pop and TV heartthrob Miguel Antelo, the musical has just opened at the Garrick Theatre, London for a limited four-week run following runaway success in Spain.

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan, the mischievous boy who befriends the Darling family in London. After teaching the Darlings how to fly, Peter takes them to Neverland where they meet his gang the Lost Boys and become embroiled in a plot by pirate Captain Hook to kill Peter Pan. Along the way Peter introduces the Darlings to fairies, Red Indians, mermaids and of course evil pirates.

Peter Pan El Musical is a unique and hugely enjoyable retelling of an oft-told classic. Aimed squarely at the family demographic, the musical features 14 original songs, a fairly large cast and some dazzling special effects. Opening with an impressive light display and using a green light beam to symbolise fairy Tinker Bell, the show grabbed the audience’s attention from the very beginning. Along the way we were treated to flying sequences, cannon shots and a whole lot of atmospheric smoke.

The most sceptical of audience members had to admit defeat as the talented cast threw their enthusiasm whole-heartedly into their roles and brough J.M Barrie’s classic story to life. The show clearly didn’t have the budget of some of the biggest West End shows, notably there was no live band and the sets were impressive yet minimal, but that really didn’t matter. Peter Pan El Musical is all about capturing the spirit and essence of Peter Pan and that it did very well.

The star of the show was without a doubt Miguel Antelo. The young Spanish star made a name for himself in Spain presenting Disney Club and has since made the transition to popstar and stage star. As Peter Pan Antelo really captures Peter’s character and unfaltering enthusiasm. Vocally he was one of the strongest singers in the cast and when left alone with the audience during the musical’s pivotal emotional scene, he had them eating out of the palm of his hand. Encouraging the audience to sing along and participate he brought an air of fun to the evening and in turn the performance.

Antelo wasn’t the only strong cast member. Isabel Malavia impressed as Wendy and possessed an incredible singing voice whilst Inma Fernandez was a real hoot as Lost Boy Tootles.

Two things let the production down. Firstly the lighting wasn’t quite right during some scenes making it difficult to see what was happening on stage. This was a particular problem during the introduction of the mermaids. Secondly, Miguel Angel Gamero was slightly too OTT as Captain Hook. Whilst there’s no denying that he has a powerful theatrical voice, he sometimes over-egged it and hit some high notes that would make Mika sound low-key.

Peter Pan El Musical is a wonderful show for the entire family. The Spanish slant is intriguing and the subtitles proved to be not too distracting. In fact despite translating the odd phrase incorrectly they worked impressively well. Miguel Antelo steals the whole show with his tour-de-force performance as Peter Pan and his star is now certainly on the global rise. We left the Garrick with the cheesiest of grins on our faces and reciting ‘No hay creer en hadas’ and we’re sure you will too.