Once Upon a Neverland

Three Towns Theatre Company brought a touch of magic to Upchurch Village Hall with their delightful production of Once Upon a Neverland. The story followed a mother and daughter, Bonnie and Poppy, who found themselves transported to Neverland, where the devious Captain Jane Hook was hatching a sinister plan with a collection of familiar fairytale villains. Her aim was to rewrite their stories and banish the heroes — though, true to villainous form, Hook had a double-cross in mind, intending to destroy the storybooks and rule Neverland alone. What followed was a charming and imaginative adventure as Poppy, Bonnie, the Fairy Godmother, and Peter Pan worked together to outwit Hook and restore balance to the world of stories. It was a magical and heartwarming tale that captivated the audience from start to finish. 

The atmosphere in the hall was enchanting, with the space beautifully transformed. Tables were laid out, each themed around a different fairytale, creating a cosy, immersive environment that perfectly complemented the story. The simple yet effective set allowed the audience to be transported seamlessly between scenes, supporting the action without ever distracting from the performance. 

The audience responded enthusiastically throughout, joining in with moments of pantomime-style call and response — and did it matter? Oh no it didn’t! 

Musically, the show was a real treat, with a fabulous live band accompanying the performance and adding energy and warmth to every scene. Despite a few sound challenges, the cast projected well, ensuring dialogue was clear and engaging. Lines were delivered confidently, with only minor stumbles, and the commitment from every performer shone through. 

Congratulations to Samantha Grace on writing and directing such a creative and enjoyable piece, and to everyone involved both on stage and behind the scenes for producing a truly magical evening of entertainment. It is always wonderful to see original material being written and performed by local groups. I can truly appreciate how much time, effort, and imagination goes into creating something new, so keep it up — it’s brilliant to see such creativity thriving in the community

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