Peter Pan | His Majesty’s Theatre | Until 10 Dec | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The WA Ballet bring their production of J.M Barrie’s classic Peter Pan back to His Majesty’s Theatre and it’s a rollicking, frolicking, bundle of fun.
The final production of the year is always a family friendly show and this one is lighthearted, magical and hilarious. The performances are filled with enthusiasm and energy, so much so, that you leave the theatre wanting to join The Lost Boys and cavort through a forest.
Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, drops by the nursery of Wendy, Michael and John. He disturbs their nanny and she chases him from the room, but he accidentally leaves his shadow behind.
A week later he returns with the fairy Tinkerbell, he retrieves his missing shadow, but awakens the three children. He invites them to fly away with him to Neverland, and so begins the classic tale of pirates and Indians, wild children, mermaids and crocodiles.
Stefano Russiello is magnificent as Peter Pan. His facial expressions, body language and brimming confidence are captivating. He does so much with his eyebrows. You really get a feeling that this Peter Pan could get up to some serious mischief.
Mathew Lehmann returns to the same role he played in the production in 2013, the dastardly Captain Hook. It’s a comical take on the character, he’s not evil but rather foppish and bumbling. Lehmann gets a ton of laughs with his antics.
Claire Voss is charming as Wendy, and Carina Roberts brings the envious Tinkerbell to life. Oliver Edwardson and Oscar Valdes are in fine form as brothers Michael and John.
Polly Hilton delivers an eye-catching performance as Tiger Lily, while Meg Parry has a fabulous moment in the spotlight as Neverbird.
A highlight of the show is seeing so many of the corps de ballet taking on large roles and delivering outstandingly entertaining performances, a testament to a the great depth of talent within the company.
The scenes in Act II set in the home underground are one of the show’s many highlights, the party thrown with Peter Pan, The Lost Boys, the Indians and the Darling children are filled with jubilation and really quite funky choreography.
Peter Pan whisks you away to another land, and back to your childhood, for an evening of enthralling and exciting storytelling. It’s an uplifting experience that is filled with joy.
Tickets to the production are available through Ticketek.
Graeme Watson
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