Returning to Neverland 50 years on
An on-stage demotion isn’t holding back Jeff Kingsford-Brown after almost 50 years between Peter Pan productions.
The actor says he has come full circle, having been cast as Mr Smee in Pinky Agnew and Lorae Parry’s Peter Pan – The Pantomime.
Now ‘‘nearly 60’’, Kingsford-Brown says one of his first acting roles was as Captain Hook in Maidstone Intermediate’s production of the JM Barrie classic. He was 12 years old. ‘‘That was the start of my career. I think I must have nailed that role.’’
The reduction in rank to boatswain doesn’t bother him and he’s looking forward to starting the 35-date season at Circa Theatre from today.
‘‘He serves Hook, he’s the putupon lackey. Low status is always good to play.’’
Kingsford-Brown has more than 30 years of theatre experience behind him, having worked as an actor, director and singer throughout his career.
Last year, he left his role as the artistic director at Palmerston North’s Centrepoint Theatre after five years to concentrate on being a freelance actor.
He had enjoyed his time with the cast and crew of Pan and said after five weeks of being together, he was looking forward to getting out on stage.
With rehearsals six days a week, the all-ages cast and crew are now hitting their stride.
‘‘It’s great to see the youngies coming through but there’s also one or two oldies, like me.’’
Kingsford-Brown, who lives in Palmerston North, thought he was the only member of the production not based in Wellington and said an added benefit of being involved in the panto was being able to stay with his sister in Upper Hutt.
He grew up in Upper Hutt and staying there gave him an opportunity to revisit the city and see it through ‘‘different eyes’’ having left in his late teens.
Barrie’s original works were great source material for the production he said, but audiences should not expect a faithful recreation of those works.
‘‘It’s a panto rather than a play. It’s all about jokes and fun and silliness.’’