Peter Pan Musical

Peter Pan is one of my all-time favourite stories, so I looked forward to this re-telling in the guise of a musical with a range of unknown songs. I was also intrigued to see that the small stage in the Angles Theatre had curtains across the stage, the reason soon became clear and helped with allowing the different scenes to be shown on stage. A quick read through of the programme showed that this was a large cast of around fifty youngsters, although unfortunately only three boys. This did however allow for three teams of Braves, Pirates and Lost Boys with no doubling, no changing of costumes and no frantic changing of make-up.

The curtains opened to reveal the Children’s bedroom in the Darling’s House where we meet the children – Wendy, John and Michael, played respectively by Lydia, Orla and Matilda, Mr. and Mrs. Darling played by Ollie and Imogen with Ollie also playing Captain Hook and Imogen as the Braves Chief. We meet Nana, a great fluffy dog costume completely hiding Lauren who also doubled in a Crocodile costume as Hooks nemesis. Maid Liza played by Erin and of course Peter Pan and Tinkerbell – Bethany and Isla (in this production) also played by Fifi-Leigh. The were the principals for this show, although we also meet later Violet as Tiger Lily and Maria as Smee. These youngsters gave us strong performances throughout the show, I felt this particularly from Lydia, Bethany and Ollie, Lydia has a lovely voice and gave us some great singing whether solo, dueting or leading the family and wider cast. This performance showed both the strength and the vulnerability of Wendy. Bethany gave us very strong vocals and great songs such as encouraging the audience in ‘You Gotta Believe’ and ‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ giving a believable and powerful performance throughout. Ollie’s Captain Hook was also a powerful performance, in his costume he looked the part, strong dialogue, perhaps a little shouty, with amongst others two entertaining and well sung songs ‘Rich Damp Cake’ and ‘Goodbye Peter Pan’, he also gave us a rather domineering Mr. Darling. Imogen gave us a comforting and motherly figure, not only for her children at home or missing but also with her Indian Brave tribe. Orla and Matilda were great as the brothers; little Isla gave a great Tinkerbell and although Violet and Maria had smaller roles these were both important and vital to the story and were well performed. Lauren gave a great performance as Nana, very dog like, a great friendly St Bernard type of dog and as a smiling crocodile.

There were plenty of named pirate and lost boy cameos from members of the company, too many to list individually. This well drilled company used the various teams to give great singing in well-choregraphed routines, clearly using the various talents of the youngsters, whether it be dance, movement, vocals or dialogue. Both the director and Choreographer knowing their company well.

Back to those curtains across the stage, as Peter took the children to fly to Wonderland the curtains were closed and a wonderful diorama of flying across London at night was projected on to this ‘screen’. This not only allowed the set to be changed but allowed he impression of flight. This was used a few times with different projections allowing the set to change from bedroom to island to pirate ship and back again without giving unnecessary blackouts and delays to scene changes. There were some little touches throughout the show, Peter Pan’s shadow was created by a youngster in a black Zentai suit, a great costume for Hook, a well-choregraphed fight sequence, the Wendy House built on stage, well-chosen incidental music, there were good costumes and make-up. Despite the large cast the stage never seemed overcrowded. The appreciative audience left having enjoyed a slick production so well done to the production team of Rob, Louise and Melissa.

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