Peter Pan A Magical Evening For All

Peter Pan is Be Amazing Arts’ third production at Eden Camp and promises "a magical evening for all the family and is sure to kick start your winter season with a festive sparkles" says writer and director Roxanna Klimaszewska.

Following the build of Eden Camp’s brand new Heritage Hall, the team at Be Amazing Arts jumped at the opportunity to build inside a custom made theatre, with the result of J. M Barrie’s classic being brought to life in Yorkshire during World War Two.

Nature provided its own lighting as I arrived for Sunday night’s performance, with the moon shining down brightly, casting creepy shadows all around as I made my way past the sleeping Huts towards the custom made theatre.

Curious Theme Factory had done a great job with the set design and build, and once the production got underway, you really felt included in the action on stage thanks to the Traverse staging.

It was a joy to see so many young people so engaged in their drama- all credit to director Roxanna Klimaszewska; the ensemble scenes worked really well, with everyone knowing exactly what to do, how to react, and where to be on stage. What a wonderful opportunity for them too, to work with seasoned performers such as Keir Brown, playing Mr Darling/ Captain Hook, and Kirsty Wolff, who was outstanding as Mrs Darling and Smee.

Elijah Desnis-Constantine shone as brightly as Tinkerbell’s light ( played most ably by India Duffy ) in the starring role as Peter Pan, with just the right amount of moodiness, giving his character that all important edginess. Eva Chester was well cast as Wendy and most convincing in the role. Some great gymnastics displayed too, by both Peter and Tiger Lily
(Kelly Appleby), look out for that!

Costumes by Be Amazing Arts and Music by James Rotchell all complemented the action on stage, with lighting used most effectively along with simple props to create a magical flight scene. An inspired idea to suddenly transform tables into bi-plane wings, dramatically creating the tense war atmosphere. The newly created theatre really was the perfect location for this unique adaptation of Peter Pan.

“To die would be an awfully big adventure" captured the poignancy of this classic story, particularly after the harrowing poison gas scene, alluding to the young men gassed in the trenches.

“ I am Youth, I am Joy …Childhood is a time of freedom and peace before duty and responsibility… “ said Mr Darling as he realised the error of his ways, and welcomed his children home with great joy and relief.

Childhood is indeed fleeting; long may this energetic and exuberant young cast continue to enjoy the magic of creating quality drama together.