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Wendy & Peter Pan
Dec. 24th, 2013 06:33 pmYesterday SM and I went to see Wendy & Peter Pan, the RSC's family production in Stratford-upon-Avon. We went up on Sunday afternoon, staying in a hotel overnight, so having an excellent relaxing pre-Christmas break.
The play is based on J M Barrie's play and book, although there are major changes. In this version there is a third, younger, Darling brother who dies at the beginning of the play and Wendy's journey to Never Never Land is seen as her attempt to come to terms with his death.
Highlights for me were Guy Henry as Captain Hook - a far more subtle villain than is usually found in a pantomime, and all the better for it. Arthur Kyeyune, who was the crocodile, and managed to be completely reptilian in the way he moved. The moment when Tink died and, in the one real pantomime moment, the children were encouraged to clap if they believed in fairies; this was a matinée, two days before Christmas and it was obvious how many of the children were totally engrossed in the story. And the pirate ship, which could be manoeuvred on stage and looked awesome.
I'm not sure that it quite succeeded as a play with a message, but as festive family entertainment, even for those without children, it was a great success.
The play is based on J M Barrie's play and book, although there are major changes. In this version there is a third, younger, Darling brother who dies at the beginning of the play and Wendy's journey to Never Never Land is seen as her attempt to come to terms with his death.
Highlights for me were Guy Henry as Captain Hook - a far more subtle villain than is usually found in a pantomime, and all the better for it. Arthur Kyeyune, who was the crocodile, and managed to be completely reptilian in the way he moved. The moment when Tink died and, in the one real pantomime moment, the children were encouraged to clap if they believed in fairies; this was a matinée, two days before Christmas and it was obvious how many of the children were totally engrossed in the story. And the pirate ship, which could be manoeuvred on stage and looked awesome.
I'm not sure that it quite succeeded as a play with a message, but as festive family entertainment, even for those without children, it was a great success.
