After months of music, dance, fight and acting rehearsals, Form 5's drama production of Peter Pan took flight over two nights before the end of the Lent term. A reflection from one audience member said, "So much hard work clearly went into this show and it was amazingly professional, creative and very funny!" and another enthused, "Another lifelong memory that will be etched into my son's childhood memories". The production was a true team effort with children playing instruments, helping paint the set, manage the lighting, as well as learn lines, songs and complex choreography. Younger members of the school also watched the daytime production and soared away to Neverland in this magical adaptation drawn from the J.M.Barrie's beloved novel.
The story follows Wendy Darling whose ambition is to avoid growing up and is always fantasising about dream worlds. One night she experiences an unexpected visit by a mysterious boy called Peter Pan. He flies in through her open window and they realise they share the same passion for remaining young. Peter encourages Wendy to escape to Neverland with him to be a mother for the Lost Boys. As well as promises of enchanting adventures, the crew must also face Peter's nemesis Captain Hook. This terrifying pirate and his motley crew of sea rovers dampen the spirit of Neverland. Every villain has a weak point and luckily Peter and team know who to call upon....the crocodile! Filled with swashbuckling pirates, otherworldly spectacles, tales of friendship and discovery, the plot of Peter Pan is fast-paced and intriguing.
The cast told the story through their engagement with their parts, which extended beyond the spoken delivery of their lines with one parent mentioning how the children were, “So engrossed, so loving what they were doing and completely telling the story.” Every member of the cast, regardless of their number of lines, was equally engaged and committed to bringing the story to life. The play focused on exploring childhood and putting children playing onto the stage, with much of the production being improvised live, or the script coming from improvisation in rehearsals throughout the process. There was a powerful mix of darker and mysterious moments, fight sequences, gruesome elements with fake blood alongside hilarious Pirate moments and magical fairy ones. One Form 5 commented, “I learnt that Peter Pan is all about teamwork and I like the way Hook was a strong character and cast as a woman.”
As Head of Drama, Mr Tim Clarke commented in his Director’s Notes, Form 5 have, “Embraced the idea of recreating this classic children’s story with the gusto you would expect from a group of children who are precisely the right age to perform the piece. What a joy it has been for everyone involved to make the world of Peter Pan come to life with children – who are at the centre of the story.”
