Venue: Capitol Theatre (Sydney NSW), Jan 31 – Feb 9, 2025
Playwright: Rick Elice (from the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson)
Music: Wayne Barker
Director: David Morton
Cast: John Batchelor, Paul Capsis, Olivia Deeble, Otis Dhanji, Morgan Francis, Lucy Goleby, Ryan Gonzalez, Pete Helliar, Colin Lane, Benjin Maza, Hugh Parker, Alison Whyte
Images by Daniel Boud

Theatre review
It is the story of how Peter Pan came to be “the boy who never grew up”. Originally a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher involves two ships, pirates, hidden treasure and a celestial substance known as “starstuff”. Transformed into a play by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker, those fantastical elements come to good use, for a theatrical experience catering to young and old.

Design and direction by David Morton delivers a staging that borrows heavily from the pantomime tradition, with notable incorporation of puppetry further enhancing its sense of wonderment. Costumes by Anna Cordingley are commensurately whimsical in nature, with her humorous mermaids leaving an especially lasting impression. Dynamic lights by Ben Hughes are creatively rendered, to take us somewhere magical, with imagery that is often uplifting and inspiring.

Portraying a highly endearing Peter is performer Otis Dhanji, who brings great energy and a compelling innocence to the central role. His new friend Molly is played by Olivia Deeble who delights with her athleticism, and who keeps us attentive with a remarkable presence. Both sing their parts powerfully, along with jaunty and sumptuous musical direction by James Dobinson.

Neverland is a place where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, implying that imagination plays an important part no matter a person’s age. Neverland is also full of danger, meaning that much as we should hold on to an innocent sense of limitless possibility, understanding responsibility is always an essential part of carving out a good life. One should always remember to look to the stars, but unlike Peter Pan, we must never forget to keep our feet steadily rooted to the ground.

www.peterandthestarcatcher.com.au

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