PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (PLAY)

Written by Rick Ellice

Based on the novel “Peter and the Starcatchers”

by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Music by Wayne Barker

Directed by David Morton

Dead Puppet Society, Glass Half Full Productions,

Jones Theatrical Group and Damien Hewitt Production

The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 27 October

 

Reviewed by Len Power 24 October 2024

 

J.M. Barrie’s much-loved play and novel about Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, has been a powerful story that we remember fondly from childhood. “Peter and the Starcatcher”, a prequel of sorts to Barrie’s work, takes us back once again to that magical world, telling a story of Peter and how his faith in himself gave him the ability to fly.

Re-imagined from the 2012 Broadway production that won 5 Tony Awards, this new and lavish Australian production is a crazy and magical ride full of colourful characters and situations with a strong and emotional message of yearning and wish-fulfilment.

The orphans - Otis Dhangi (Boy-Peter), Benjin Maza (Ted) and Morgan Francis (Prentiss)

The large ensemble cast skilfully play orphans, British subjects and sea-farers. Outstanding in the cast are Colin Lane as Black Stache, the pirate Captain, Otis Dhagi as the orphan boy who becomes Peter, Olivia Deeble as Molly, the Starcatcher, Pete Helliar as the pirate, Smee, and Ryan Gonzalez as Fighting Prawn, the leader of the Mollusks, a group of ship-wrecked Italian chefs.

Underwater magic

The design work in this show is breath-taking, creating a world full of imagination. Magical effects and puppetry enhance the show at every turn and it moves at a frenetic pace. Designer and director of the show, David Morton, clearly had a vision which he has impressively realized.

The original and tuneful music of Wayne Barker is played by an onstage ensemble led by James Dobinson. The songs are performed very well by the cast, especially a very funny number sung by mermaids at the start of the second act.

The mermaids

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a delightful and very funny show. Its powerful message reminds us that a sense of wonder is still there in the child in all of us.

 

Photos by Daniel Boud

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.