ONE of the biggest compliments I can pay this production is to say that had I walked in off the street to see it, never having heard of Swish, I could easily have believed that I was watching a fully professional touring production. It was spectacular in every way, from the fantastic set and costumes to the excellent sound system and lighting, superb programme and fine orchestra – plus, of course, outstanding performances, thanks to the production team of Tina Smith (director), Lee Marchant (musical director) and Emily Cardno (choreographer).

Pupils at Swish are clearly taught well, and have great successes in festivals and exams. They also feature strongly in films, TV and West End and touring stage shows thanks to the school’s own agency, so their expertise and experience shines through despite their youth whether singing, dancing or acting.

Many in the audience were small children, and they were so obviously entranced by the magic unfolding before them, not least when Peter, Wendy, John and Michael really flew. Peter, played with considerable aplomb by Jake Howlett, flew right out into the auditorium at the end of the show, doing backward somersaults and sprinkling glittery paper over everyone – and I’m quite sure I wasn’t the only one with tears in my eyes at that point.

It was good to hear people booing Captain Hook in the curtain calls too, a sure sign that Matthew Stockham, also of course playing Mr Darling, had caught everyone’s imagination with his dastardly portrayal.

There were lovely characterisations too from Eleanor Kennedy (Mrs Darling) – who for me had the outstanding voice of the evening -, Isabella Sedgwick (Wendy), Alisha Blake (Tiger Lily), Tabitha Farley (Storyteller), Jack Ambrose (John Darling) and Andrew Scott (Michael Darling). Sometimes though there are those who walk out onto a stage and simply ooze charisma even before they speak or move. Jenny Trapp, playing Smee as a sort of piratical Peggy Ollearnshaw, is one of them and I absolutely adored her performance from start to finish.

The many young people playing braves, pirates, Indians and lost boys were also delightful, obviously enjoying themselves as much on stage as we were watching them. I was particularly impressed that if anyone lost, say, a hat, it was retrieved unobtrusively rather than being left ignored and very obvious in the middle of the stage – which happens far too often in some productions.

There are two performances today, Saturday, and I recommend that you go along if you can.