Peter Panto and The Incredible Stinkerbell. Need I say more?

Poster for Tron Theatre Company "Peter Panto
and the Incredible Stinkerbell" (2013)
 illustrated by Jamie MacDonald

If you're still reading, then I obviously do need to say more...


The cold winter welcomes a breath of "fresh air" (err..should that be "stale air"?) to Glasgow's reputable Theatre Culture. Amongst the highfalutin legends, such as the Royal Theatre and The King's Theatre, TTC stands out with this this whimsical, comical and slightly strange twist to the eponymous classic 'Peter Pan'.

"Peter Panto and The Incredible Stinkerbell" is a very clever and dazzling masterpiece of  both the comedy and fantasy genre which likes to include the audience in just about every feat of buzz and laughter. The ingenious juvenile take on a much-loved classic is just what the theatre industry needs. Featuring comical insights in all things Glasgow - the West End, The Fish and Chips shops, Glaswegian Accents and social culture - it captures a side of the city that cannot be unseen when you step back out from the panto-verse to reality.

The fantastical atmosphere was already captured upon entering the front door of the building. My sister and I gasped with wonder at our first treat to the Tron Theate. Whilst the tickets were being purchased, we waltzed over to the stalls offering sweet treats and wearable costume souvenirs to take into the theatre with us. Always useful for assimilating oneself into a child-like state that would otherwise be strongly discouraged in the non-panto-verse. As typical show goers, we brought our own sweets by the bagful, maybe two or three more (hello, rotten teeth!) carefully handpicked from the Christmas selection boxes from whence they came.

Taking our seats in the auditorium, housing a decent number of audiences, the intimate size of the room allowed for pretty much everyone to have a sense of inclusion into the play. As the lights slowly dimmed, a haunting music played in the background. Suddenly, an introductory fart blared from the surrounding speakers. Out she comes from hiding, the infamous Stinkerbell! Complete with an accompanying smell familiar of an egg bomb that one can purchase from a passing ice cream van, supposing they still sell them. Speaking in rhyme, she instantly captures the hearts of the audience as a flawed but perfect representation of what a comedic Glaswegian would probably be like - I've lived here almost all my life, I should know!

All the characters featured the familiar Glaswegian dialect which undoubtedly is probably one of the funniest around! This makes for an instant rip-roaringly hilarious experience.
The characters are well-developed and props and costumes both dazzling and well-maintained. The production uses the bare minimum of special effects yet still manage to knit together an interestingly unorthodox panto that holds the audience in their bated breath until the next pun - like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

I would recommend "Peter Panto and the Incredible Stinkerbell" to anyone looking for a simple play reminiscent of a badly made stand up comedy. Basically, the cheesier the better. But then again, that's what Pantos are all about!

"All children grow up – except one. 
Peter. 

You see he’s not like the others.  He can fly.  He has a sworn enemy in the evil Captain New Look, who has one hand and one cheesy-pineapple-on a stick for the other.  Peter also has a best friend, Stinkerbell.  She’s a fairy but she’s no fool.  She’s got magic flatulence and powerful rifts that she’s willing to turn on full force to any girl that comes between her and her love Peter.

Enter Wendy.  Wet West End Wendy.  She’s falling for Peter, but Stinkerbell would rather she fell off a cliff. 

Will Stinkerbell get her man?  Will Captain New Look swap his hook for a Dyson attachment?  And how will we manage to fly anyone when there’s no flying rig?

With Darren Brownlie, Helen McAlpine, Louise McCarthy, Sally Reid, Anita Vettesse and Laura Szelecki."

- Tron Theatre Info