Welcome to Neverland! Flying into New Theatre Royal Portsmouth this December is Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up. He’ll be joined by a whole host of colourful characters: Wendy and her brothers John and Michael; the mischievous Lost Boys; the iconic Captain Hook and his pirate crew, meddling mermaids and, of course, the infamous ticking crocodile. You’ll also be introduced to Madame Lily, leader of our Neverland trade camp, the legendary Blackbeard and King Neptune in his underwater kingdom. All portrayed by twenty-three very busy performers, including a professional cast supported by boys and girls from across Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
To create the script for this year’s Christmas show, writer and director Scott Ramsay was heavily influenced by J.M. Barrie’s book, ‘Peter and Wendy’. In this story Barrie developed the characters he introduced to audiences in the stage version of ‘Peter Pan’, which was hugely popular when it premiered in London’s West End.
Yasmine Gazzal who plays Tinker Bell is busy learning her lines
Scott comments: “Through using ‘Peter and Wendy’ we have created a thrilling story – a very exciting journey into Neverland, populated with all those fantastic characters. This theatre has a long tradition of big Christmas shows, which were a real visual feast. All those locations in our Peter Pan – the Darling family home, Neverland’s trading camp, the Lost Boys’ underground den, Mermaid’s Lagoon, The Jolly Roger – are created through luscious scenery and stunning costumes.”
Rehearsals are well underway: Peter’s met the pirates and Wendy now believes in fairies. Hayley-Jane Simmons is putting the dancers through their paces, and Phil Woods is busily bringing all the music and song together.
Scott says: “This is a packed show, designed to enchant and enthral. This year we’re taking the show to new heights, which is sure to put a smile on your face. This is the Peter Pan you know, but with a few surprises along the way.”
A sneak peak of Samuel Bailey’s Peter Pan costume
Our Christmas shows here at New Theatre Royal fall in between the fun of a pantomime and the richness of big family musicals. There’s plenty to delight every member of the clan, and, as part of a long-standing arrangement, Great Ormond Street Hospital will receive a percentage of all ticket sales. So come fly with Peter Pan in Portsmouth this Christmas, from Tuesday 13th December.