Writer: J.M Barrie
Director: Lucy Morrell
J.M Barrie’s timeless tale, like its titular character, simply refuses to ever get old. There have been countless adaptations across various mediums throughout the decades since the original 1904 play. With universal themes of family and friendship at its heart plus the alluring escapism of being taken off into a magical, distant land, its staying power is perhaps down to how it so readily resonates with children and adults alike. As is to be expected, Kingston’s Rose Theatre is largely populated with families of varying ages, all eager to take flight into what should be a very fun evening.
It does not disappoint. Evan Placey is behind the adaptation and is loyal to Barrie’s original sentiments. He explores Wendy’s slightly fraught relationship with her mother well and the idea of there being both families we are born into and families we can find. The script successfully balances the important messages of the story with the playfulness of the piece. That playfulness prevails here, perhaps at the sacrifice of some of the threat and tension that previous productions have incorporated, especially between Pan and his nemesis Hook. Ultimately though, there is so much to enjoy and absorb that it really does not matter.
One of the most pleasing aspects is the acting, particularly from among the impressive young cast. Tiger Lily is of note, appearing perhaps cooler and more self-assured than we might previously have seen her. Here she is portrayed engagingly by Shona Maggo, with the Rose Youth Theatre cast alternating between performances: there are 20 members per show. It’s a genuine pleasure to see this talented group of young actors permitted a platform of this scale in which to showcase their abilities. On the night of this review, Isla Griffiths and Ellie Searle as Wendy and Tinker Bell respectively were standouts but it must be said that the level of acting from all the young cast was of a high calibre.
They are, of course, complemented by several professionals. Michelle Bishop is tasked with the balancing act of portraying Mrs Darling and, as it is here, Captain Jane, rather than James, Hook. She does so with ease while clearly having a great deal of fun in the process. Dominic Rye also multi-roles between the comically highly-strung Mr Darling and the bumbling buffoon Smee. The two actors work wonderfully together, evoking much laughter along the way.
Hilary Maclean serves as our intermittent storyteller, Gran. She counterbalances what could otherwise be too frenetic a production, anchoring it down with her moments of reflection and hindsight. Kaine Ruddach is also well cast as Pan. He possesses the endearing boyish charm required of the character, while also managing to conjure a suitably ethereal quality.
While those expecting to see flying might be disappointed, there is an abundance of visual trickery on show with some clever use of puppets thanks to Judith Hope and effective movement direction courtesy of Bradley Charles. Music and lyrics by Vikki Stone add to the energy of the evening while detailed set and costume design by Oli Townsend allows for the visual feast we expect from a production of Peter Pan. Real festive family fun.
Runs until 7 January 2024
The Reviews Hub Score
Festive family fun
