Christchurch teens bring Peter Pan to life

Friday, 30 January 2015

Christchurch teens bring Peter Pan to life

Anthony Harper Summer Theatre's show, Peter Pan, which starts on 4 February promises to be a chaotic, cheeky and charming version of the well-known fairy tale.

The show is part of Christchurch City Council's SummerTimes programme and runs until 22 February.

Ben Ashby from Christchurch Boys' High School will play Peter Pan and Kate Hellings from St Margaret's College will play Wendy.

Ben and Kate, along with four other 16 and 17 year olds, are part of The Court Theatre Youth Company where they have received extensive training in acting. They are supported by three professional actors - Vanessa Kumar, who finished her professional actor's training at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in Wellington last year; Andrew Ford, who performed in 'The Complete History of Christchurch' for SummerTimes in 2012; and Derek Flores, a Canadian improvisational import who has made his home in Christchurch.

Behind the scenes is a team from The Court Theatre including director Daniel Pengelly, costume designer Aimee Reed, set and props designer Oliver Morse, stage manager Alice Pardoe and operator Alex Le Cocq so the show promises to be a high-quality production.

Council Events Production Team Manager Chloe Dear says the actors made up their own version of the Peter Pan story. It started with a workshop prior to Christmas then three weeks rehearsing this year.

Improvisation was used in developing the play so the actors could engage with the themes of the theatrical production rather than reciting lines.

"The performance of the show is unique because they don't have a written script. It will be great to see these talented young actors in front of an audience," Ms Dear says.

The show is outside Riccarton House on Wednesday to Sunday at 7pm with an additional 2pm show on weekends and Waitangi Day.

This is a free event, so bring along your picnic chair or blanket and settle in with the boy who would not grow up, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys.

Street parking is available or there is limited car parking at the Riccarton Bush car park.

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