Teen spirit makes Peter Pan fly
Berzerk Productions presents Peter Pan Oakwood Centre December 13-16
WHAT better casting for the boy who never grew up than a teenager full of Christmas spirit?
This year’s festive show from local drama school Berzerk is a production of the Disney version of Peter Pan.
Specially created for youngsters to perform, here the talented bunch from Berzerk have put together a brilliant hour of fast-moving theatre packed with spellbinding performances and terrific songs.
Faithful to J M Barrie’s famous story, yet condensed down it is a delight to watch.
The key roles of Peter Pan (Nathan Galpin) and Wendy (Phoebe Edwards) saw the pair fly high: Nathan had just the right amount of joie de vivre to bring the cheeky Pan to life, while Phoebe has a beautiful voice and a terrific stage presence.
Also delighting was Millie Double as Tinkerbell - using little more than her expressions and movement to convey the mute fairy, she lit up the stage as she fluttered across it.
Dominic Lane made a superb Captain Hook, carefully chewing the scenery and ensuring there was just the right amount of menace and swagger in his performance.
India Cowdrey gave a great turn as Smee, while Jake Eade and Charlie Hagen were fab as John and Michael.
The many, many Berzerk members doubled up in other roles, including mermaids, lost boys, pirates and Indians. Each one never stopped acting, even when the focus was not on them.
Although the theatre in
The Oakwood Centre is small, Berzerk made much of their single set to create the illusion that we travelled all over Neverland, one moment in the Lost Boys den, the next on Captain Hook’s ship.
Helping create the convincing illusion is some impressive lighting and computer animated backdrops.
Packed with songs, including Fly To Your Heart, Sunbeams and Sea, and What Makes The Brave Man Brave, this was a rollickingly good adventure and produced to a high professional standard. The costumes sparkled, the make-up effective and the pace never let up.
This was a brilliant preChristmas treat for all the family.
Berzerk will be holding a Trolls-themed Easter school for children aged six upwards. Booking will open soon. For more details, log on to www. berzerkproductions.com or call 07863 734830.