THE STAGE REVIEW | PETER PAN

Peter Pan

Published Thursday 6 December 2012 at 14:51 by Susie Wild

Sherman’s modernised story focuses on the experience of Wendy, a teenage girl growing up painfully fast. Rebecca Newham makes a confident stage debut complimented by a well-voiced cast and original songs with a Disney film feel.

A scene from Peter Pan at the Sherman Cymru, CardiffPhoto: Farrows Creative

Taunted by her brothers for owning her first bra, Wendy is left alone on Christmas Eve while her dad sneaks off to the pub. Feeling old enough to begin to understand the bigger questions in life but given none of the answers at home, she is whisked away to Neverland by mischeivous charmer Peter Pan (Joshua Considine). There she shifts identity from sweet mother homemaker for Adam Ant and the Lost Boys in part one, to rock chick pirate Black Heart, fighting out her teenage angst as the Captain’s right hook woman in part two.

Stereotypes are subverted to good effect at the start, as Michael (Meilir Rhys Williams) is overjoyed to have a male fairy for their tree, and Tink is described as androdgenous. Lucy Osborne’s ribbon forest is a delight, as are the multimedia effects which have us ‘flying’ with Peter and Wendy over cities, and through constellations. A charming - if rather dark and adult - show which could do with more humour throughout to keep the youngest viewers enthralled.

Production information

Sherman Cymru, Cardiff, December 5-January 5

Author:: Rob Evans
Director:: Rois�n McBrinn
Producer:: Sherman Cymru
Cast includes:: Joshua Considine, Russell Gomer, Rebecca Newman, Meilir Rhys Williams, Daniel Graham, Adam Scales, Kyle Rees
Running time:: 2hr 20mins

Production information can change over the run of the show.

Read the review on The Stage website: http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/37815/peter-pan

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