PETER PAN. To 24 December.

Edinburgh

PETER PAN
by J M Barrie

Traverse Theatre (Traverse 1) To 24 December 2005
20 21 Dec 10.15am & 1.15pm; 23-24 Dec 12pm & 3pm
Runs 1hr 5min No interval

TICKETS: 0131 228 1404
www.traverse.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 18 December

Wooden-spoon production is an awfully big wee adventure.No hour-long version can capture the full detail or dimension of J M Barrie's heartfelt story, but this revival of the 2000 co-production of Scotland's Wee Stories and Shona Reppe puppets contains as much as many of the intended 3-7 year old audiences will want. And it brings a welcome imaginative approach that culminates in every audience member being given a wooden-spoon to take home and paint as a Lost Boy.

The spoons are one of the puppet-solutions to the large-cast story, told here by performers Andy Cannon and Shona Reppe as the Darling parents,while David Trouton's family dog Nana provides piano accompaniment. As the Darlings are supposedly out at the theatre themselves, one can only assume something of the imaginative experience has rubbed off on them.

If extra characters are needed - notably a crocodile - Cannon's expert at getting the young - and older - audience members to provide them. Reppe's set has a versatility that allows it to open up from the security of the Darling home with its curtained windows to reveal a mermaid swimming in a Neverland lake and converts a dog-kennel into a Wendy-house. She also provides a sweet Wendy and an Estuary-speaking, no-nonsense, boyishly Peter puppets.

Cannon is a fine Captain Hook, encouraging the hisses, while keeping the story momentum moving forward and tailoring the action for audiences - the Darlings' relation has none of the sinister Edwardian overlay of Mr Darling's trick on Nana with his medicine or his living in the dog-house. With its humour, moments of involvement and magic at the close, this is a fine introduction to Barrie's story. And what other version gives you a Lost Boy to take home?

Mrs Darling/Mermaid etc: Shona Reppe
Mr Darling/Captain Hook etc: Andy Cannon
Nana: David Trouton

Directors: Andy Cannon, Shona Reppe
Designer: Shona Reppe
Lighting: Tariq Hussain
Music: David Trouton
Puppets: Shona Reppe

2005-12-18 16:28:08