Peter Pan - A Musical

In 1904 JM Barrie saw the first performance of the play that had been created from the stories he told to a neighbour's children. Based loosely on the three older children, Peter Pan was the story of the adventures of the boy who never grew up. In 1929, having never been blessed with children of his own, Barrie decided to bestow the royalties for Peter Pan on the Great Ormand Street Hospital for Children. To this day it provides a huge amount of money to support the famous facility.
The Curve's production is an original interpretation of the story with especially written songs. Not a pantomime, more a musical play, this Peter Pan utilises the technicalities of the theatre to create a magical experience for all ages. With lots of flying and many huge mobile sets, Peter's Neverland is brought to life like never before.
As is usual with Curve original productions, the theatre's reputation attracts the best of actors. With James Gaddas chewing up the scenery as Captain Hook/Mr Darling, Spencer Charles Noll's Peter Pan has a worthy adversary. Casting a male Peter Pan , while going against convention, works well and makes him all the more believable.
Making all the children fly around the stage as well as the huge sword fight on the pirate ship, the Health & Safety guys must have been having apoplexy. However, it was obvious that it was very well choreographed and looked hugely exciting without anyone getting hurt.
Sadly this production will never be seen outside Leicester which is a shame for the rest of the country.

© Paul Towers 13/1/2010