A story told as often as J M Barrie’s Peter Pan is one that might take its toll on keen theatregoers or even those choosing which festive treat to enjoy. This writer will have reviewed three in under a month. Nevertheless, a burden it is no longer as playwright James Baldwin’s fresh undertaking of this fairy tale undergoes an innovative take.
Here, in the Egg Theatre’s production, Wendy (Liana Cottrill) takes centre-stage. John and Michael become a combined Jon Michael (JoAnne Haines) and Tinkerbell (Alice Lamb), or Tink here, is a slinky toy. Baldwin explores the tough times that the Darlings are encountering and the struggle in masking those perceptions. As Wendy explores Neverland, she is able to release her imaginations and not fight any responsibilities.
Theatre Royal Bath’s junior offspring, The Egg, is custom-built for its audience: lounging seats, intimate setting and a pokey set. Its outreach and community-driven work is outstanding, with many across the region benefitting from its brilliance.
Chris Harrisson’s wonderfully inventive projections are utilised to the absolute full. Much of the set is commanded by the crafty images and animations which do a super job of immersing the audience into a fairy tale. In tandem with the strong, futuristic lighting design by Joe Price and Jack Drewry’s positively engaging score and sounds, this production quality transfixes not only the children in the audience but the older generation too.
Joseph Tweedale encapsulates all that youthful and energetic spirit in Peter as he ensures the near-million rules are kept to, but also engages through his frustrations at not growing up. Rozelle Gemma doubles up as Wendy and Jon Michael’s mum as well as Hook, and is especially cunning and convincing as the latter. Adam Fuller’s puppet work with Lamb is immense and brings to life what might have appeared a left-field choice with Tink as a slinky. Cottrill, a recent graduate of the Bristol College of Acting, is dynamite in the titular role as she outstandingly delivers Wendy’s fragilities and charisma in equal parts.
Wendy: A Peter Pan Story is certainly an awfully fun adventure and easily brings out the kid in all of us. The production is engaging, entertaining and electric—a perfect recipe for a family festive treat.